J Korean Radiol Soc.  2006 Sep;55(3):255-261. 10.3348/jkrs.2006.55.3.255.

The Value of Coronal Image Reconstructions of HRCT using MDCT for the Assessment of Bronchiectasis: Experiment with 64 MDCTs

• Choi SJ
• Kim HS
• Jeong SH
• Jin W
• Yang DM

• KMID: 2209141
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jkrs.2006.55.3.255

Abstract

PURPOSE
The aim of our study was to evaluate the value of coronal image reconstructions of HRCT with using 64 MDCT scans for the assessment of bronchiectasis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Chest CT scans (0.6-mm collimation, table speed of 14 mm/sec and a rotation time of 0.5 sec) that employed 64 MDCT images (Somatom Sensation 64, Siemens) without contrast media were performed in 56 patients (21 males and 35 females, mean age: 55 years) who displayed hemoptysis. The images were reconstructed with a 1 mm slice thickness in the axial (10 mm apart) and coronal (10 mm apart) planes with using a high frequency algorithm, and they were sent to PACS monitors. The axial images were assessed with and without the coronal images by two radiologists at two separate occasions. The presence of bronchiectasis was decided upon by consensus diagnosis of the two radiologists. The detection rates of bronchiectasis were compared between the readings with using the axial images alone and the readings with using both the axial and coronal images.
RESULTS
The detection rate of bronchiectasis was significantly higher with using both the axial and coronal images than with using with axial images alone (82.1%, 46/56 patients Vs 64.3%, 36/56 patients, respectively, p=0.001). The detection rates for all the lobes, except for the superior division of the left upper lobe, were significantly improved with using both the axial and coronal images (RUL; p=0.013, RML; p=0.002, RLL; 0.024, Lt lingular segment; p=0.004, LLL; p=0.018).
CONCLUSION
The coronal images of HRCT with using 64 MDCT improved the detection rate of bronchiectasis in the patients with hemoptysis when they were used in conjunction with the standard axial images. We suggest that HRCT with the coronal images should be obtained for the patients with hemoptysis, despite that the simple chest radiographs are often normal or they have non-specific findings.

Keyword

Lung, hemorrhage; Bronchiectasis; Lung, CT; Computed tomography (CT), thin-section; Computed tomography (CT), image processing; Lung, disease

MeSH Terms

Bronchiectasis*
Consensus
Contrast Media
Diagnosis
Female
Hemoptysis
Humans
Image Processing, Computer-Assisted*
Male
Radiography, Thoracic
Reading
Sensation
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Contrast Media