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Updated: Mar 14, 2026
Author Spotlight: Advancing 3D Modeling for Enhanced Diagnosis and Treatment of Pulmonary Nodules in Early-Stage Lung Cancer
Published on: October 13, 2023
Initial experience of deep learning reconstruction algorithm in lung kernel: clinical usefulness for lung nodules at
Jaewon Kim1, Shinhyung Kang2, Min-Hee Hwang1
1Department of Radiology and Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea.
Objectives:
TrueFidelity (TF), a deep learning image reconstruction algorithm that was originally available only in standard kernel, has recently become available in lung kernel. This is the first study to assess TF in lung kernel (TF Lung) on image quality and nodule sharpness at ultra-low-dose CT (ULD CT).
Materials And Methods:
This study included patients who underwent both non-contrast ULD CT and contrast-enhanced CT (CE CT) of the chest. ULD CT scans were reconstructed using 6 algorithms, including Adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction-V in standard kernel (AR50 STD), AR50 in lung kernel (AR50 Lung), TF in standard kernel, and TF Lung at low, medium, and high strengths. CE CT scans were reconstructed using AR50 STD and AR50 Lung. In total, 8 sets of reconstruction images were obtained and reviewed for each patient. Objective image quality, such as image noise, signal-to-noise ratio, and contrast-to-noise ratio, was compared. Nodule sharpness was evaluated by calculating the full-width half-maximum value. Malignancy-related imaging features in nodules that had been pathologically confirmed as malignant were evaluated. CE CT reconstructed in the lung kernel (CE AR50 Lung) served as the reference standard.
Results:
A total of 68 patients underwent analysis. ULD CT reconstructed with TF Lung at all strengths significantly decreased image noise compared to AR50 Lung (all p < 0.001). TF Lung in low and medium strengths showed similar nodule sharpness compared to the reference standard.
Conclusion:
TF Lung has the potential to enhance both image quality and nodule evaluation in ULD CT scans.
Key Points:
Question How does TrueFidelity in the lung kernel (TF Lung) perform in terms of image quality and lung nodule assessment in ultra-low-dose (ULD) CT scans? Findings TF Lung significantly decreased image noise, and TF Lung in low and medium strengths showed similar nodule sharpness compared to the reference standard. Clinical relevance TF Lung has the potential to reduce image noise without compromising the sharpness of nodules in ULD CT scans. TF Lung may support radiologists' diagnostic decision-making for malignancy.
