Malignant solitary pulmonary nodules: size and attenuation measured on a PACS and CT workstation

Objective: The aim of our study was to determine the efficiency and effectiveness of picture archiving and communication system(PACS) workstation in detecting the sizes and attenuation of malignant solitary pulmonary nodules(SPNs). Methods: Forty patients with malignant SPNs(diameter ≤ 3 cm) underwent multidetector-row computed tomography(CT) of the chest in a single-breath-hold technique. The raw data were acquired with a collimation of 0.625 mm. The diameters and attenuation of malignant SPNs were measured on PACS and CT workstation respectively. The diameter was defined as the average value of the anteroposterior, lateral and superoinferior diameters on CT scans obtained with a mediastinal window setting. The superoinferior diameters were measured on MPR image. The diameters and attenuation of malignant SPNs and spending time in measuring were recorded. Results: The diameters of malignant SPNs measured on a PACS and CT workstation were 2.09 cm ± 0.87 cm, 2.07 cm ± 0.79 cm, respectively. There was not statistically significant difference in the diameters of malignant SPNs between that measured on a PACS workstation and that on a CT workstation(t = 1.580, P = 0.210 > 0.05). The attenuation of malignant SPNs measured on a PACS and CT workstation were 40.15 HU ± 7.53 HU, 39.99 HU ± 8.13 HU, respectively. There was not statistically significant difference in the attenuation of malignant SPNs between that measured on a PACS workstation and that on a CT workstation(t = 1.008, P = 0.298 > 0.05). The spending time in measuring on a PACS and CT workstation were 55 s ± 4.03 s, 56 s ± 3.95 s, respectively. No statistically significant difference was found in spending time in measuring between that on a PACS workstation and that on a CT workstation(t = 0.958, P = 0.315 > 0.05). Conclusion: The efficiency and effectiveness of PACS workstation is as same as those of CT workstation in detecting the sizes and attenuation of malignant SPNs. It is suggested that the size and attenuation of malignant SPNs are measured on a PACS and CT workstation.

Progression of hepatic hyperperfusion disorders revealed during follow-up CT scan of digestive system neoplasm

Objective： The aim of this study was to investigate progression of hepatic hyperperfusion disorders revealed during follow-up contrast material-enhanced multi-slice spiral computed tomography （MSCT） scan of digestive system neoplasm. Methods： Three-phase contrast material-enhanced MSCT were performed during the follow-up in patients with digestive system malignant tumor confirmed histologically. The progression of hepatic hyperperfusion disorders revealed on contrast material-enhanced CT image were investigated at the 2 years follow-up with approximately 6 months interval. Results： The hepatic hyperperfusion disorders were showed in 39 patients on follow-up contrast material-enhanced MSCT scans. Among the 39 patients, initial hyperperfusion disorders were revealed in 6 （15.38%）, 26 （66.67%）, and 7 （17.95%） patients in 6, 12, and 18 months during follow-up respectively. The initial hyperperfusion disorders revealed in 12 months were more frequent than those revealed in 6 months （X2 = 14.82, P 〈 0.05） and 18 months （X2 = 15.02, P 〈 0.05）. Among the 39 patients, the hyperperfusion disorders progressed into liver metastasis based on typical CT findings in 37 （94.87%） patients, and were not obvious changes in 2 （5.13%） patients. Among the 37 patients, the hyperperfusion disorders progressed into metastasis in 10 （25.64%） patients in 6 months after the hyperperfusion disorders were revealed, and in 27（69.23%） patients in 12 months. The hyperperfusion disorders developing into metastasis were more in 12 months than those in 6 months （X2= 14.98, P 〈 0.05）. Conclusion： Most hepatic hyperperfusion disorders revealed at the follow-up of digestive system neoplasm may be early manifestations of liver metastasis. The careful follow-up of hepatic hyperperfusion disorders is necessary.