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Updated: Aug 7, 2026
Three-Dimensional Reconstruction for the Whole Lung with Early Multiple Pulmonary Nodules
Published on: October 13, 2023
Visualization of normal pulmonary fissures on sagittal multiplanar reconstruction MDCT
Koji Takahashi1, Brad Thompson, William Stanford
1Department of Radiology, Asahikawa Medical College and Hospital, 2-1-1-1 Midorigaowa-higashi, Asahikawa, 078-8510 Japan. taka1019@asahikawa-med.ac.jp
Objective:
Delineation of the interlobar fissures on multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) images is useful to assess masses at the fissures for invasion into adjacent lobes. We performed this study to determine the appropriate MDCT protocol to visualize the interlobar fissures on sagittal MPR images.
Materials And Methods:
For the phantom studies, radiographic film was used to replicate the interlobar fissures. For the clinical studies, we obtained MDCT scans of 130 patients with normal interlobar fissures. Visualization of the interlobar fissures on sagittal MPR was assessed using the following scanning parameters: scan collimations of 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 mm with helical pitches of 1 and 1.5 for the phantom studies; and scan collimations of 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 mm with a helical pitch of 1.5 and a scan collimation of 2 mm with a helical pitch of 1 for the clinical studies.
Results:
To visualize fissures as a sharp line, a 0.5- or 1-mm collimation was required for the major fissure and 0.5 mm for the minor fissure in the phantom studies. In the clinical studies, 0.5-mm-collimation MPR images depicted interlobar fissures as a sharp line in all cases. Fissures on MPR images using 1-, 2-, and 3-mm collimations appeared as a sharp line in 77.5-95.0%, 0-43.3%, and 0% of cases, respectively.
Conclusion:
Volume data obtained using a 1-mm collimation are required to visualize all the interlobar fissures as a sharp line on sagittal MPR images except the minor fissure and superior portion of the right major fissure, for which a 0.5-mm collimation is required.
Insights
Optimizing multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) protocols is key for visualizing interlobar fissures on sagittal multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) images. A 0.5-mm collimation is essential for sharp depiction of fissures, especially the minor fissure.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
- Thoracic Imaging
Background:
- Accurate delineation of interlobar fissures on multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) images is crucial for assessing mass invasion.
- Multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) is a primary imaging modality for thoracic evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the optimal MDCT scanning protocol for visualizing interlobar fissures on sagittal MPR images.
- To establish the best collimation settings for sharp fissure depiction.
Main Methods:
- Phantom studies with simulated fissures and clinical MDCT scans of 130 patients were performed.
- Sagittal MPR images were assessed using varying scan collimations (0.5-3 mm) and helical pitches (1-1.5).
Main Results:
- Phantom studies indicated 0.5- or 1-mm collimation for major fissures and 0.5 mm for minor fissures.
- Clinical studies showed 0.5-mm collimation consistently depicted fissures sharply.
- Higher collimations (1-3 mm) resulted in progressively less sharp fissure visualization (77.5-95.0% down to 0%).
Conclusions:
- A 0.5-mm collimation is required for optimal visualization of most interlobar fissures on sagittal MPR images.
- A 1-mm collimation is sufficient for some fissures, but 0.5 mm is necessary for the minor fissure and superior right major fissure.
