Detection of pulmonary nodules with scoutless fixed-dose ultra-low-dose CT: a prospective study

ConclusionsScoutless ULD CT reliably detects solid lung nodules with a clinically relevant volume (>  50 mm3) in lung cancer screening, irrespective of patient size. Since detection rates were lower compared to SD CT for nodules<  50 mm3, its use for lung metastasis detection should be considered on a case-by-case basis.Key Points• Detection rates of pulmonary nodules>  50 mm3are not significantly different between scoutless ULD and SD CT (i.e.volumes clinically relevant in lung cancer screening based on the NELSON trial), but were different for the detection of nodules<  50 mm3(i.e.volumes still potentially relevant in lung metastasis screening).• Calculated nodule volumes were on average 0.03 mL or 9% smaller on ULD CT, which is below the 20–25% interscan variability previously reported with software-based volumetry.• Even though a scoutless, fixed-dose ULD CT protocol was used (CTDIvol0.15  mGy), pulmonary nodule detection was not influenced by patient size.
Source: European Radiology - Category: Radiology Source Type: research