Automatic patient-instruction devices in thin-section CT of the thorax: impact on image quality

• Published in: Radiology Vol. 196; no. 3; p. 841
• Main Authors: Bankier, A A, Fleischmann, D, Dantendorfer, K, Wiesmayr, M N, Kontrus, M, Hübsch, P, Herold, C J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.09.1995
• Subjects: Adult; Automation; Case-Control Studies; Computer-Assisted Instruction; Female; Humans; Lung Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Male; Outcome Assessment (Health Care); Patient Education as Topic; Professional-Patient Relations; Prospective Studies; Radiographic Image Enhancement; Radiography, Thoracic; Respiration; Software; Technology, Radiologic; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
• ISSN: 0033-8419
• DOI: 10.1148/radiology.196.3.7644653

To determine what influence automatic patient-instruction (API) devices have on image quality of chest computed tomographic (CT) scans and whether the qualitative outcome justifies their routine use. Thin-collimation CT scans of two age- and sex-matched groups of 64 patients each were evaluated prospectively for the presence of breathing artifacts and for concomitant deterioration of image quality. Breathing commands in group 1 were given with the API device and in group 2 with technologist-performed patient instruction. Cardiac motion artifacts were not evaluated. The frequency of scans repeated owing to breathing artifact was determined. Image quality was worse in group 1 compared with that of group 2. The percentage of scans repeated was higher with API (38%) than without API (16%). API devices cannot be recommended for thin-section CT of the thorax. The large number of scans that must be repeated leads to a considerable increase in patient irradiation, scanning time, and cost.