Chest computed tomography display preferences. Survey of thoracic radiologists.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

The authors conducted a survey of dedicated thoracic radiologists and tabulated their preferences for reconstruction algorithm, display, and photography of computed tomography (CT) scans of the chest.

METHODS

Data were derived from a mail survey of 343 active members of the Society of Thoracic Radiology and based on a set of 20 questions about the display and photography of chest CT scans. The response rate was 35.4%.

RESULTS

There were 119 usable replies from 31 states and 8 countries. Although there was considerable variation, the questionnaire indicates that the "typical" dedicated thoracic radiologist, regardless of practice setting, uses a standard reconstruction algorithm for chest CT and prints images on a laser imager using the "sharp" setting with a 12-on-1 format. Window settings for evaluating the lung are window-width 1500 HU and window-level -600 HU. Window settings for evaluating the mediastinum are window-width 350 HU and window-level 40 HU.

CONCLUSIONS

Although there is wide variation in the preferences used to display and photograph chest CT scans, most thoracic radiologists have similar display preferences.