Original Article
Detection of Hepatocellular Carcinomas on Dynamic Phase Images Using Multi-detector CT: Comparison with Different Slice Thickness and Image Output
Hyo Won Eun
Author Information & Copyright ▼
Department of Internal Radiology, School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Korea.
Copyright ⓒ 2007. Ewha Womans University School of Medicine. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Published Online: Sep 30, 2007
Abstract
Objectives
To compare the diagnostic performance of a high-resolution picture archiving and communications system(PACS) workstation directly interfaced with computed tomography(CT) with hard-copy printouts and to compare the detection rate according to slice thickness in hepatocellular carcinomas(HCCs).
Methods
Forty-six patients with 118HCCs underwent two-phase multi-detector row helical CT imaging of the entire liver after contrast administration. Late arterial phase images were obtained serially during a single breast-hold, and portal venous-phase images were then obtained. In soft-copy, images taken in each phase were reconstructed by 3mm and 7mm in thickness. Soft-copy readouts on a workstation in PACS and hard-copy printouts were independently compared for the presence of HCC by two radiologists unaware of the possible presence of tumors, and for each phase the detection rate was determined in 7mm thickness. The detection rate of HCC displayed on a workstation was analyzed in 3mm and 7mm thickness for each phase.
Results
No significant differences in observer performance were observed between laserprinted hard copies and CT images displayed on a workstation(p>0.05). But the detection rate of HCC displayed on workstation was higher in 3mm thickness(p<0.05).
Conclusion
The diagnostic performance of CT hard copies is acceptable and comparable to a high-resolution PACS workstation in hepatocellular carcinomas and the detection rate of HCC on PACS workstation is significantly higher in thin slice thickness.
Keywords: Diagnostic radiology; observer performance Picture archiving and communication system (PACS) Liver; CT Liver neoplsms, diagnosis Computed tomography(CT); imageprocessing
