Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 10, 2026
A 3D Digital Model for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Pulmonary Nodules
Published on: May 19, 2023
Pulmonary nodules: effect of increased data sampling on detection with spiral CT and confidence in diagnosis
J A Buckley1, W W Scott, S S Siegelman
1Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
Purpose:
To compare spiral computed tomography (CT) with interscan spacing of 4-5 mm versus 8-10 mm for detection rate and level of confidence in diagnosis of pulmonary nodules.
Materials And Methods:
Four radiologists (two junior and two senior faculty members) retrospectively reviewed 67 spiral CT studies with one to six nodules per study. Every second image was masked, which resulted in 8-mm sections every 8 or 10 mm; then all images reconstructed every 4 or 5 mm were reviewed. Lesions were classified as definite, probable, or possible.
Results:
Narrow interscan spacing yielded more lesions overall (583 vs 566, P < .025) and more definite lesions and fewer equivocal lesions (482 vs 431 and 101 vs 135, respectively; P < .055). The greatest effects were in the reduction of possible lesions (50 vs 88, P < .001) and in the reduction of false-positive diagnoses made by less experienced radiologists.
Conclusion:
Increased reconstruction frequency of spiral CT volume data sets improves detection of pulmonary nodules and enhances confidence in the diagnosis.
