Slice Optimization Of Dynamic Contrast-enhanced CT Scan And Its Value In The Diagnosis Of Solitary Pulmonary Nodule

Objective: Using the method of image selection and reconstruction with dynamic helical CT to improve the slice concordance in measurement of delayed images respectively, and to evaluate its value in the differential diagnosis of solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN).Materials and methods: â‘  Three kinds of homogeneous liquid were scanned by helical CT. The difference between primitive images and the reconstructive images with the same slice thickness was assessed. â‘¡ Seventy-two patients with SPNs were studied with dynamic helical CT scan, and the method of image selection and reconstruction was used to improve the slice concordance in measurement of delayed images respectively. Pre- and post-contrast attenuation, peak height of time-attenuation curve and ratio of peak height of the SPN to that of the large artery were evaluated.Result". â‘  No significant difference was found between the attenuationof the primitive images and that of the reconstructive images of the homogeneous liquid in different density (F=1.544, P=0.233). â‘¡ The rate of the slice concordance in measurement was about 96. 23% with using the method of image selection and reconstruction by single-slice or twin-slice helical CT and the slice concordance was all accomplished with the same method by multi-slice helical CT. â‘¢ Peak heights and SPN-to-aorta ratios of malignant and inflammatory SPNs were significantly higher than that of benign SPNs (P=0.000). No statistically significant difference in the peak height and SPN-to-aorta ratio was found between malignant and inflammatory SPNs (P=0.336; P=0.823) .Conclusion: â‘  No efficacy was found in the attenuation betweenprimitive images and reconstructive images with the same slice thickness of homogenous material. â‘¡ The slice concordance in measurement of every delayedimage could improve the capability in the differential diagnosis of solitary pulmonary nodules .