Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 10, 2026
A 3D Digital Model for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Pulmonary Nodules
Published on: May 19, 2023
Perceived features reported as nodules: interpretation of spiral chest CT scans
F L Jacobson1, P F Judy, U Feldman
1Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Rationale And Objectives:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate nontarget locations identified in a study of lung nodule detection with spiral computed tomographic (CT) scans that compared cine and film presentations.
Materials And Methods:
In a previous study of lung nodule detection, eight observers were asked to identify 10 nodule locations in each of five CT scans containing eight simulated nodules. In the current study, each nontarget location that was reported more than once in the previous study was inspected with a stack-mode display in both cine and static modes. The nontarget locations were evaluated for probable identity, shape, and distance from the peripheral lung surface.
Results:
Fifty-two nontarget locations included clinically undetected pulmonary nodules (n = 12), lymph nodes (n = 2), unclassifiable structures (n = 2), pleural scars (n = 8), and vascular structures (n = 28). Five nontarget locations contained vessels with complex courses apparent only with cine mode. As a group, nontarget locations were significantly closer to the periphery than would be expected by chance (for all locations, P < .0001; for locations not touching the pleural surface, P = .013).
Conclusion:
The lower reporting threshold caused by the observer instructions to find 10 targets resulted in increased reporting of structure with a nodular appearance. The locations of these reports in the lung periphery can be attributed to the relationship between frequent disease and a nearly featureless background in the lung periphery.
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