Interobserver and intraobserver variability in the assessment of pulmonary nodule size on CT using film and computer display methods

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: A critical element in determining biologic behavior of pulmonary nodules is volume and temporal volume change. We evaluate variability in nodule volume among readers and measuring methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 55 small (<2 cm) lung nodules were measured in long- and short-axis dimensions independently by 4 radiologists, using 3 methods: 1) hard copy, 2) GE Advantage Windows workstation (GE Healthcare, Milwaukee, WI), 3) Siemens IMACS workstation (Siemens Medical Systems, Iselan, NJ). Nodule margin was recorded as smooth, lobulated, or spiculated. Volume was calculated from diameter measurements. Variability in nodule volume was evaluated within each reader, between readers, and across measurement tools. RESULTS: Mean nodule short-axis diameter was 5.3 mm; mean long-axis diameter 7.2 mm. There was statistically significant variation among readers and measurement method for nodule volume. Volume was significantly larger using hard-copy measurements (51.9%-54.1% variation; P < .0001) than either workstation, and not different between workstations. There was greater intraobserver variability in volume using the hard-copy method, and no difference between workstation methods. Volumes based on measurements from one reader were consistently lower than those from other readers (P = < .001, .003, and .02); volume was consistently larger for another reader (P < .0001, .03, and .12). Reader agreement for nodule margin was good to excellent. CONCLUSION: Considerable interobserver and intraobserver variability in measuring nodules exists using hard-copy and computer tools. Since a small change in diameter indicates a much larger change in volume, this may be significant when using early repeat CT to follow small pulmonary nodules. Computer-aided diagnostic tools that reproducibly measure nodule volume are strongly needed.     

Utility of high-resolution CT for management of diffuse lung disease: results of a survey of U.S. pulmonary physicians

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to determine how U.S. pulmonologists rate the clinical contributions of high-resolution computed tomography (CT) in patients with diffuse lung disease, to ascertain how the technique affects management decisions, and to determine the effect of three physician characteristics on these attitudes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors surveyed 450 practicing pulmonologists. The questionnaire explored perceptions of the efficacy of high-resolution CT for achieving five clinical objectives, the importance of high-resolution CT in 17 diseases, and the effects of the CT results on management decisions. Responses were examined by type of clinical practice, monthly referral volume, and year of completion of pulmonary fellowship. RESULTS: The response rate was 52.6%. High-resolution CT was rated most helpful for determining the extent of diffuse lung disease and least helpful for assessing disease activity and prognosis. Pulmonologists believed that high-resolution CT was most important in the idiopathic interstitial pneumonias and least important in Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and emphysema. High-resolution CT results frequently increased the physician's confidence in a presumptive diagnosis. Recently trained pulmonologists were more likely to report that high-resolution CT results altered their management plan. There were no significant differences related to type of practice. CONCLUSION: U.S. pulmonologists in a variety of practice settings value the contributions of high-resolution CT in patients with diffuse lung disease and find it particularly important in the chronic interstitial pneumonias. High-resolution CT results have their greatest effect in confirming a presumptive clinical diagnosis and less frequently alter the management plan.     

Establishing a normative atlas of the human lung: intersubject warping and registration of volumetric CT images

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To establish the range of normal values for quantitative CT-based measures of lung structure and function, the authors developed a method for matching pulmonary structures across individuals and creating a normative human lung atlas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A computerized human lung atlas was synthesized from computed tomographic (CT) images from six subjects by means of three-dimensional image registration. The authors identified a set of reproducible feature points for each CT image and used these points to establish correspondences across subjects, used a landmark- and intensity-based consistent image registration algorithm to register a template image volume from the population to the rest of the pulmonary CT volumes in the population, averaged these transformations, and constructed an atlas by deforming the template with the average transformation. RESULTS: The effectiveness of the authors' method was evaluated and visualized by means of both gray-level and segmented CT images. The method reduced the average landmark registration error from 10.5 mm to 0.4 mm and the average relative volume overlap error from 0.7 to 0.11 for the six data sets studied. CONCLUSION: The method, and the computerized human lung atlas constructed and visualized by the authors with this method, provides a basis for establishing regional ranges of normative values for structural and functional measures of the human lung.     

2003 AUR Memorial Award. Dynamic expiratory volumetric CT imaging of the central airways: comparison of standard-dose and low-dose techniques

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Investigators in this study compared standard-dose and low-dose inspiratory and expiratory computed tomographic (CT) images with regard to their usefulness for measuring the tracheal lumen in patients with or without tracheobronchomalacia (TBM). MATERIALS AND METHODS; Hospital records were reviewed to identify 10 consecutive patients with bronchoscopically proved TBM and 10 control subjects without TBM who underwent paired volumetric inspiratory and dynamic expiratory examinations with multisection CT. A low-dose (40-80 mA) technique was used for dynamic expiratory CT in 14 (70%) of the 20 subjects, and a standard dose (240-280 mA) was used in the remaining six (30%). All images were reviewed in a randomized, blinded fashion by two observers, who measured the tracheal lumen to determine the presence of TBM by consensus. The degree of confidence in measuring the tracheal lumen was graded on a four-point scale from 0(no confidence) to 3 (highest level of confidence), also by consensus of the two observers. Statistical analysis for differences in confidence level was performed with the Mann-Whitney U test. The image noise level was assessed by measuring the standard deviation of the presternal soft tissue, and statistical analysis for differences in noise level was performed with the t test. RESULTS: The level of confidence in tracheal lumen measurement was high, regardless of respiratory phase and dose (inspiratory mean, 2.9; median, 3; range, 2-3; expiratory low-dose mean, 2.6; median, 3; range, 2-3; expiratory standard-dose mean, 2.8; median, 3; range, 2-3). There was no significant difference in confidence level between standard- and low-dose techniques (P = .53). Excessive central airway collapse (expiratory reduction in cross-sectional diameter, > 50%) was seen in all 10 patients with TBM and in none of the control subjects. CONCLUSION: The acquisition of paired inspiratory and dynamic expiratory images with multisection helical CT is a promising method for diagnosing TBM. The low-dose technique performs as well as the standard-dose technique for the dynamic expiratory phase, with a similar degree of confidence for measuring the tracheal lumen.     

Alignment of CT lung volumes with an optical flow method

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to evaluate an optical flow method for registering serial computed tomographic (CT) images of lung volumes to assist physicians in visualizing and assessing changes between CT scans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The optical flow method is a coarse-to-fine model-based motion estimation technique for estimating first a global parametric transformation and then local deformations. Five serial pairs of CT images of lung volumes that were misaligned because of patient positioning, respiration, and/or different fields of view were used to test the method. RESULTS: Lung volumes depicted on the serial paired images initially were correlated at only 28%-68% because of misalignment. With use of the optical flow method, the serial images were aligned to at least 95% correlation. CONCLUSION: The optical flow method enables a direct comparison of serial CT images of lung volumes for the assessment of nodules or functional changes in the lung.     

Subsecond multisection CT of regional pulmonary ventilation

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the adequacy of multibreath and single-breath stable xenon gas techniques to measure regional ventilation during cardiac-gated, high-speed, multisection imaging, the authors carried out a series of studies using electron-beam computed tomography (CT) and a recently introduced subsecond multisection spiral CT scanner. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In four anesthetized pigs, the authors implemented single-breath and/or dynamic multibreath wash-in and washout protocols with respiratory-- and cardiac-gated image acquisition. The effects of varying tidal volume and inspiratory flow rate were evaluated independently. Scanning was done at end expiration to avoid artifacts from partial volumed conducting airways, which are filled with inspired gas concentration during inspiration. RESULTS: A single breath of 100% xenon provides adequate enhancement in the lung parenchyma (mean, 32 HU +/- 1.85 [standard error]) and should not cause unwanted side effects (mean xenon concentration in lung periphery, 21%). The single-breath method is suitable for studies requiring only short periods of apnea. Using the multibreath method, in dependent portions of the lung, there was close agreement between measured changes and predictions based on the xenon calibration data. More than 10 breaths were needed to clear tracer from poorly ventilated areas, and some nondependent regions demonstrated apparently "linear" rather than exponential clearance curves, possibly reflecting longer washout times. Analysis of wash-in and washout curves revealed vertical ventilation gradients and, at higher inspiratory flow rates, redistribution of ventilation to areas of the lung with greater pathway conductance. CONCLUSION: With careful attention to lung volume and use of cardiac gating, it is now possible to correlate lung structure with function to a degree heretofore not possible.     

Drug-induced lung disease: high-resolution CT and histological findings

AIM: To compare the parenchymal high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) appearances with histological findings in patients with drug-induced lung disease and to determine the prognostic value of HRCT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Drug history, HRCT features, histological findings and outcome at 3 months in 20 patients with drug induced-lung disease were reviewed retrospectively. The HRCT images were assessed for the pattern and distribution of abnormalities and classified as most suggestive of interstitial pneumonitis/fibrosis, diffuse alveolar damage (DAD), organizing pneumonia (OP) reaction, or a hypersensitivity reaction. RESULTS: On histopathological examination there were eight cases of interstitial pneumonitis/fibrosis, five of DAD, five of OP reactions, one of hypersensitivity reaction and one of pulmonary eosinophilia. The most common abnormalities on HRCT were ground-glass opacities (n = 17), consolidation (n = 14), interlobular septal thickening (n = 15) and centrilobular nodules (n = 8). HRCT interpretation and histological diagnosis were concordant in only nine (45%) of 20 patients. The pattern, distribution, and extent of HRCT abnormalities were of limited prognostic value: all eight patients with histological findings of OP, hypersensitivity reaction, or eosinophilic infiltrate improved on follow-up compared to only five of 13 patients with interstitial pneumonitis/fibrosis or DAD. CONCLUSION: In many cases of drug-induced lung injury HRCT is of limited value in determining the histological pattern and prognosis.     

Pulmonary CT image classification with evolutionary programming

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: It is often difficult to classify information in medical images from derived features. The purpose of this research was to investigate the use of evolutionary programming as a tool for selecting important features and generating algorithms to classify computed tomographic (CT) images of the lung. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Training and test sets consisting of 11 features derived from multiple lung CT images were generated, along with an indicator of the target area from which features originated. The images included five parameters based on histogram analysis, 11 parameters based on run length and co-occurrence matrix measures, and the fractal dimension. Two classification experiments were performed. In the first, the classification task was to distinguish between the subtle but known differences between anterior and posterior portions of transverse lung CT sections. The second classification task was to distinguish normal lung CT images from emphysematous images. The performance of the evolutionary programming approach was compared with that of three statistical classifiers that used the same training and test sets. RESULTS: Evolutionary programming produced solutions that compared favorably with those of the statistical classifiers. In separating the anterior from the posterior lung sections, the evolutionary programming results were better than two of the three statistical approaches. The evolutionary programming approach correctly identified all the normal and abnormal lung images and accomplished this by using less features than the best statistical method. CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrate the utility of evolutionary programming as a tool for developing classification algorithms.     

Lobar mucinous bronchioloalveolar carcinoma of the lung showing negative FDG uptake on integrated PET/CT

We present a case of bronchioloalveolar carcinoma manifesting as air-space consolidation with negative FDG uptake on integrated PET/CT in a 42-year-old woman. To know this pattern of uptake especially in the case of mucin-predominant lobar bronchioloalveolar carcinoma may help avoid misdiagnosis of this particular tumor.     

Application of Lung-Screening Reporting and Data System Versus Pan-Canadian Early Detection of Lung Cancer Nodule Risk Calculation in the Alberta Lung Cancer Screening Study

BackgroundFalse-positive scans and resultant needless early recalls can increase harms and reduce cost-effectiveness of low-dose CT (LDCT) lung cancer screening. How LDCT scans are interpreted and classified may impact these metrics.MethodsThe Pan-Canadian Early Detection of Lung Cancer risk calculator was used to determine nodule risk of malignancy on baseline screening LDCTs in the Alberta Lung Cancer Screening Study, which were then classified according to Nodule Risk Classification (NRC) categories and ACR Lung Screening Reporting and Data System (Lung-RADS). Test performance characteristics and early recall rates were compared for each approach.ResultsIn all, 775 baseline screens were analyzed. After a mean of 763 days (±203) of follow-up, lung cancer was detected in 22 participants (2.8%). No statistically significant differences in sensitivity, specificity, or area under the receiver operator characteristic curve occurred between the NRC and Lung-RADS nodule management approaches. Early recall rates were 9.2% and 9.3% for NRC and Lung-RADS, with the NRC unnecessarily recalling some ground glass nodules, and the Lung-RADS recalling many smaller solid nodules with low risk of malignancy.ConclusionPerformances of both the NRC and Lung-RADS in this cohort were very good with a trend to higher sensitivity for the NRC. Early recall rates were less than 10% with each approach, significantly lower than rates using the National Lung Screening Trial cutoffs. Further reductions in early recall rates without compromising sensitivity could be achieved by increasing the NRC threshold to 20% for ground glass nodules or by applying the nodule risk calculator with a 5% threshold to 6- to 10-mm solid nodules under Lung-RADS.     

Thin-section CT of the lung: influence of 0.5-s gantry rotation and ECG triggering on image quality

The aim of this study was to determine if ECG triggering and a shorter acquisition time of 0.5-s rotation decrease cardiac motion artifacts of thin-section CT of the lung. In 25 patients referred for thin-section thoracic CT, 1-mm thin-section slices were performed with a scanning time of 0.5 s with ECG gating, 0.5 s and 1 s during the diastolic phase of the heart at five identical anatomical levels from the aortic arch to lung basis. At each anatomical level and for each lung, cardiac motion artifacts were graded independently on a four-point scale by three readers. Patients were divided into two groups according to their heart rate. A four-way analysis of variance was used to assess differences between the three modalities. Mean cardiac motion artifacts scores were rated 1.23+/-0.02, 1.47+/-0.02, and 1.79+/-0.02, at 0.5 s with ECG gating, 0.5 s without ECG gating, and 1 s, respectively (F=139, p<0.0001). At the four anatomical levels below the aortic arch, the left lung scores were greater than the right lung score for the three modalities. For the modality 0.5 s with ECG gating no difference of scores was found between patients grouped according to their cardiac frequency. The 0.5-s gantry rotation with or without ECG gating scans reduces cardiac motion artifacts on pulmonary thin-section CT images and is mainly beneficial for the lower part of the left lung.     

Performance of ACR Lung-RADS in a Clinical CT Lung Screening Program

PurposeThe aim of this study was to assess the effect of applying ACR Lung-RADS in a clinical CT lung screening program on the frequency of positive and false-negative findings.MethodsConsecutive, clinical CT lung screening examinations performed from January 2012 through May 2014 were retroactively reclassified using the new ACR Lung-RADS structured reporting system. All examinations had initially been interpreted by radiologists credentialed in structured CT lung screening reporting following the National Comprehensive Cancer Network’s Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Lung Cancer Screening (version 1.2012), which incorporated positive thresholds modeled after those in the National Lung Screening Trial. The positive rate, number of false-negative findings, and positive predictive value were recalculated using the ACR Lung-RADS-specific positive solid/part-solid nodule diameter threshold of 6 mm and nonsolid (ground-glass) threshold of 2 cm. False negatives were defined as cases reclassified as benign under ACR Lung-RADS that were diagnosed with malignancies within 12 months of the baseline examination.ResultsA total of 2,180 high-risk patients underwent baseline CT lung screening during the study interval; no clinical follow-up was available in 577 patients (26%). ACR Lung-RADS reduced the overall positive rate from 27.6% to 10.6%. No false negatives were present in the 152 patients with >12-month follow-up reclassified as benign. Applying ACR Lung-RADS increased the positive predictive value for diagnosed malignancy in 1,603 patients with follow-up from 6.9% to 17.3%.ConclusionsThe application of ACR Lung-RADS increased the positive predictive value in our CT lung screening cohort by a factor of 2.5, to 17.3%, without increasing the number of examinations with false-negative results.     

CT colonography: results and limitations

Meta-analysis of data from studies of CT colonography suggests that it has excellent per-patient average sensitivity and average specificity for detection of adenomatous polyps and cancer. However, while its potential as a screening test is undoubted, there are several current limitations that will need to be overcome before it can be considered seriously by health policy makers. These revolve around issues of generalisability, which is inhibited most by a lack of trained observers and access to CT scanners, and a paucity of data relating to cost-effectiveness. Whether offering CT colonography as an alternative to competing strategies will genuinely enhance compliance also needs further and more detailed attention.     

基于3D-CT与4D-CT定义的非小细胞肺癌计划靶区比较

目的 探讨基于3D-CT轴位扫描所定义的计划靶区(PTVvector)与基于4D-CT定义的计划靶区(PTV4D)的位置和体积差异.方法 适合三维适形放疗(3D-CRT)的非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)患者共28例,其中,16例肿瘤位于肺上叶为肺上叶组,12例肿瘤位于肺中下叶为肺中下叶组,均于同次CT模拟定位时序贯完成胸部常规3D-CT轴位扫描和4D-CT扫描.基于3D-CT图像GTV及其运动矢量定义PTVvector:GTV外扩7 mm形成CTV,在CTV基础上依据4D-CT测得的肿瘤三维运动矢量均匀外扩形成ITVvector,然后再外扩3 mm,形成PTVvector;基于4D-CT图像各时相GTV融合定义PTV4D:10个时相的GTV分别外扩7 mm形成各时相的CTV,10个时相的CTV融合形成ITV4D,ITV4D外扩3 mm形成PTV4D.对比PTVvector和PTV4D靶区位置、体积及包含度差异,分析三维运动矢量和相关参数的相关性.结果 肺上叶和肺中下叶两组肿瘤中心三维运动矢量中位数分别为2.8和7,0 mm,差异有统计学意义(z=-3.485,P<0.05).肺上叶组PTVvector和PTV4D中心点坐标仅在x轴上差异有统计学意义(z=-2.010,P<0.05),肺中下叶组两靶区中心点坐标仅在;轴上差异有统计学意义(z=-2.136,P<0.05).肺上叶组PTV4D与PTVvector比值的中位数为0.75,肺中下叶组为0.52,两比值与肿瘤三维运动矢量的相关性差异均有统计学意义(r=-0.638、-0.850,P<0.05).PTVvector与PTV4D彼此间包含度的中位数分别为66.39%和99.55%,两者与肿瘤的三维运动矢量相关性差异有统计学意义(r=-0.814、0.613,P<0.05).结论 基于4D-CT定义的PTV4D明显小于基于3D-CT定义的PTVvector,两者的比值及相互包含度均与肿瘤三维运动矢量显著相关.     

High-resolution computed tomography with single-slice computed tomography and 16-channel multidetector computed tomography: a comparison regarding visibility and motion artifacts

Background: High-resolution computed tomography is the image procedure of choice in the evaluation of interstitial lung disease. Multidetector-row computed tomography provides the possibility of simultaneous reconstruction of thin and thick slices from the same raw data, acquired from one single series. Thus, it may be tempting to exclude the step-and-shoot series.

Purpose: To compare high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT step-and-shoot) from single-slice CT (SSCT) and 16-channel multidetector CT (MDCT) in terms of visibility and motion artifacts, and to investigate whether thin images reconstructed from helical MDCT are equal to or better than conventional HRCT by SSCT in terms of visibility and motion artifacts.

Material and Methods: 20 patients underwent HRCT step-and-shoot by SSCT (SSCT step-and-shoot) and MDCT (MDCT step-and-shoot), and a helical MDCT acquisition (MDCT helical). Images from four anatomical levels were analyzed in random order regarding visibility and motion artifacts.

Results: Visibility using MDCT step-and-shoot was significantly better than or equal to SSCT step-and-shoot for segmental bronchi and fissures, but not for subsegmental bronchi. For MDCT helical, visibility was equal to or better than SSCT step-and-shoot for segmental bronchi, but not for fissures and subsegmental bronchi. Concerning motion artifacts, MDCT step-and-shoot and MDCT helical were significantly better than or equal to SSCT step-and-shoot.

Conclusion: The image quality (accounting for motion artifacts and visibility) of SSCT step-and-shoot and MDCT step-and-shoot is comparable. The visibility of anatomic structures in images from MDCT helical is inferior to HRCT step-and-shoot.     

Airway Reactivity to Bronchoconstrictor and Bronchodilator: Assessment Using Thin-Section and Volumetric Three-Dimensional CT

Objective

To determine the extent to which thin-section and volumetric three-dimensional CT can depict airway reactivity to bronchostimulator, and to assess the effect of different airway sizes on the degree of reactivity.

Materials and Methods

In eight dogs, thin-section CT scans were obtained before and after the administration of methacholine and ventolin. Cross-sectional areas of bronchi at multiple levels, as shown by axial CT, proximal airway volume as revealed by three-dimensional imaging, and peak airway pressure were measured. The significance of airway change induced by methacholine and ventolin, expressed by percentage changes in cross-sectional area, proximal airway volume, and peak airway pressure was statistically evaluated, as was correlation between the degree of airway reactivity and the area of airways.

Results

Cross-sectional areas of the bronchi decreased significantly after the administration of methacholine, and scans obtained after a delay of 5 minutes showed that normalization was insufficient. Ventolin induced a significant increase in cross-sectional areas and an increase in proximal airway volume, while the effect of methacholine on the latter was the opposite. Peak airway pressure increased after the administration of methacholine, and after a 5-minute delay its level was near that of the control state. Ventolin, however, induced no significant decrease. The degree of airway reactivity did not correlate with airway size.

Conclusion

Thin-section and volumetric spiral CT with three-dimensional reconstruction can demonstrate airway reactivity to bronchostimulator. The degree of reactivity did not correlate with airway size.     

~(18)F-FDG PET-CT和双源CT的LungCare软件在评估孤立性肺结节中的比较研究

目的 探讨18-氟-脱氧葡萄糖(~(18)F-FDG)PET/CT显像及Siemens双源CT的LungCare软件对孤立性肺结节(SPN)的辅助诊断能力及适用范围.方法 回顾分析经病理证实的24例SPN患者的PET-CT图像资料,并与利用双源CT的LungCare软件分析SPN进行比较研究.用χ~2检验对2种检查方法的评价结果进行统计学分析,以P<0.05作为差异有显著意义.结果 在24例SPN中,恶性结节15例,良性结节9例.LungCare软件评估其良恶性的准确性、敏感性、特异性、阳性预测值、阴性预测值分别为83.3%、80.0%、88.8%、92.3%、72.7%,PET-CT评估其良恶性的准确性、敏感性、特异性、阳性预测值、阴性预测值分别为87.5%、93.3%、77.7%,87.5%、87.5%.LungCare软件和PET/CT定性SPN的准确性相当,两者之间并不存在明显的差异(P>0.05).PET/CT的敏感性、阴性预测值明显高于LungCare软件,但其特异性、阳性预测值明显低于LungCare软件(P<0.05).结论 ~(18)F-FDG PET-CT对肺结节的诊断有一定辅助作用,适用于对孤立性肺结节的良恶性鉴别诊断.PET/CT密切结合LungCare软件,可进一步提高诊断正确率.     

肺炎性肿块的CT诊断及鉴别诊断

目的探讨肺内炎性肿块的CT表现.材料和方法回顾性分析我院经手术切除、CT导引下穿刺活检及临床追踪证实的肺内炎性肿块38例(47个病灶)的CT表现.结果病灶位于肺外围、贴近胸膜面伴胸膜肥厚占80.9%;呈不规则形,三角形或锥形,尖端指向肺门或病灶长轴与支气管肺树一致占74.596;块内见气泡/蜂窝状边缘占76.6%.结论肺炎性肿块的CT表现有一定的特点,可以与肺癌鉴别.