Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2026
A 3D Digital Model for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Pulmonary Nodules
Published on: May 19, 2023
Usefulness of concurrent reading using thin-section and thick-section CT images in subcentimetre solitary pulmonary
1Department of Radiology and Institute of Radiation Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Aim:
To evaluate the differences in the characterization and recommendation for follow-up of subcentimetre solitary pulmonary nodules (SSPNs) between 5 and 1mm section CT, and to compare the assessments generated by four radiologists
Materials And Methods:
Five hundred and twenty-nine patients who had SSPNs on chest CT reconstructed using both 5 and 1mm sections were enrolled. Two image subsets of 5 and 1mm CT images of each nodule were interpreted independently by four radiologists. Nodule size, consistency (solid, partly solid, non-solid), the presence of calcification, and recommendations for follow-up were evaluated. If a non-calcified solid nodule was confirmed using CT, recommendation for follow-up was based on Fleischner Society guidelines. Data assessed by each radiologist were compared, and interobserver agreements were determined using the intraclass correlation coefficients and kappa value.
Results:
Using 1mm CT images, the nodule sizes were significantly larger than on 5mm CT images (paired t-test, p<0.01). The presence of calcification and nodule consistency were significantly different between 5 and 1mm CT images (McNemar test for the presence of calcification, p<0.01; Wilcoxon signed test for nodule consistency, p<0.01). On 1mm CT images there was significantly higher agreement regarding nodule consistency than on 5mm CT (kappa=0.78 and 0.67, respectively).
Conclusions:
Concurrent use of thin-section and thick-section CT can provide more accurate nodule assessment and higher interobserver agreement in SSPN.
