Detection of pulmonary nodules with helical CT: comparison of cine and film-based viewing.

The purpose of our study was to determine whether cine viewing of helical CT scans of the chest improves the detection of pulmonary nodules in patients with known extrathoracic malignancy.Identical helical CT studies of the chest of 60 patients with known extrathoracic malignancy were reviewed for detection of pulmonary nodules. Four radiologists interpreted the helical CT studies. Pulmonary nodules were divided into four groups according to maximum diameter: group 1, nodules smaller than or equal to 5 mm; group 2, nodules larger than 5 mm but smaller than or equal to 10 mm; group 3, nodules larger than 10 mm but smaller than or equal to 20 mm; group 4, nodules larger than 20 mm. Interpreters also assigned a lesion conspicuity score of pulmonary nodules based on a four-point scale: one point for poor visibility, two points for adequate visibility, three points for good visibility, and four points for excellent visibility. Static film-based images printed on a laser printer were viewed on a light box. Cine...