Quantitative volumetry of ground-glass nodules on high-spatial-resolution CT with 0.25-mm section thickness and 1024 matrix: Phantom and clinical studies. (2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yoshida, Yuriko; Yanagawa, Masahiro; Hata, Akinori; Sato, Yukihisa; Tsubamoto, Mitsuko; Doi, Shuhei; Yamagata, Kazuki; Miyata, Tomo; Kikuchi, Noriko; Tomiyama, Noriyuki
• Is Part Of: European journal of radiology open. Volume 8(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021
• Subjects: 3D three-dimensional -- APE absolute percentage error -- C-CT conventional computed tomography -- C-setting conventional setting -- CT computed tomography -- GGN ground-glass nodule -- HR-setting high-resolution setting -- HSR-CT high-spatial-resolution computed tomography -- VDT volume doubling time; Solitary pulmonary nodule -- Lung -- Spiral computed tomography; Medical radiology -- Periodicals; 616.075705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejro.2021.100362
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-0477

Abstract

Highlights: High-spatial-resolution CT provided more accurate volume of a −800-HU nodule in a phantom than conventional settings. The maximum CT attenuation values were significantly higher in high-resolution setting than conventional setting. The high-resolution setting might allow earlier detection of solid components in GGNs during follow-up. Abstract: Objectives: To compare high-resolution (HR) and conventional (C) settings of high-spatial-resolution computed tomography (CT) for software volumetry of ground-glass nodules (GGNs) in phantoms and patients. Methods: We placed −800 and −630 HU spherical GGN-mimic nodules in 28 different positions in phantoms and scanned them individually. Additionally, 60 GGNs in 45 patients were assessed retrospectively. Images were reconstructed using the HR-setting (matrix size, 1024; slice thickness, 0.25 mm) and C-setting (matrix size, 512; slice thickness, 0.5 mm). We measured the GGN volume and mass using software. In the phantom study, the absolute percentage error (APE) was calculated as the absolute difference between Vernier caliper measurement-based and software-based volumes. In patients, we measured the density (mean, maximum, and minimum) and classified GGNs into low- and high-attenuation GGNs. Results: In images of the −800 HU, but not −630 HU, phantom nodules, the volumes and masses differed significantly between the two settings (both p < 0.01). The APE was significantly lower in the HR-setting than in the C-setting (p < 0.01). In patients, volumes did not differ significantly between settings (p = 0.59). Although the mean attenuation was not significantly different, the maximum and minimum values were significantly increased and decreased, respectively, in the HR-setting (both p < 0.01). The volumes of both low-attenuation and high-attenuation GGNs were not significantly different between settings (p = 0.78 and 0.39, respectively). Conclusion: The HR-setting might yield a more accurate volume for phantom GGN of −800 HU and influence the detection of maximum and minimum CT attenuation.