Fundamental and clinical evaluation of chest computed tomography imaging in detectability of pulmonary nodule

Fundamental and clinical evaluation of chest CT imaging in detectability of pulmonary nodules was carried out in comparison with projection chest radiography including conventional screen-film system, advanced multiple beam equalization radiography (AMBER System), and computed radiography with imaging plate (CR). Detectability of simulated nodules in the fundamental study and of metastatic pulmonary nodules in ten patients in the clinical study was analysed by five radiologists. CT found the greatest number of nodules and also showed the highest sensitivity in detecting nodules of less than 5 mm in both the fundamental and clinical studies. The ability of computed tomography to visualize small pulmonary nodules may make it a possible substitute for chest radiography as the primary mass screening method, and as the examination method for small metastatic nodules (less than 5 mm) in patients with extrathoracic malignancy. There was no significant difference between conventional radiography, AMBER, and CR in the number of detected nodules. (author)