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Comparison of thick- and thin-slice images in thoracoabdominal trauma CT: a retrospective analysis

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European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

To compare thick (5 mm) and thin slice images (1.5 mm) of lung, soft tissue, and bone window in thoracoabdominal trauma computed tomography.

Materials and methods

167 Patients that underwent thoracoabdominal trauma CT between November 2014 and December 2015 were included in the study. CT data were reconstructed in a transverse direction with 5 mm and 1.5 mm slice images of lung, soft tissue, and bone window. Two blinded raters (radiologists) evaluated the collected data by detecting predefined injuries in different organ areas. Reconstruction and evaluation times as well as detected injuries were noted and compared.

Results

Reconstruction and evaluation times were significantly higher with 1.5 mm thin-slice images, and the effect strength according to Rosenthal displayed a strong effect of 0.61 (< 0.1 small effect, 0.3 middle effect, and > 0.5 strong effect). Average evaluation time differences were 62.7 s (33.9 s–91.5 s) in bone window between 1.5 mm and 3 mm for rater 1 (p < 0.001) and 71.4 s (43.1 s–99.7 s) for rater 2 (p < 0.001). Average time differences between 1.5 mm and 5 mm were 68,7 s (43.9 s–93.5 s) for rater 1 and 75.3 s (44.7 s–105.9 s) for rater 2 in lung window (p < 0.001) and 66.6 s (28.8 s–104.4 s) for rater 1 and 114 s (74.4 s–153.6 s) for rater 2 in soft-tissue window (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference regarding soft-tissue and lung injuries, except non-significant improvement in the detection of bone fractures.

Conclusion

Thin-slice images do not bring any significant benefit in thoracoabdominal trauma CT of soft-tissue and lung injuries, but they can be helpful for the diagnosis of bone fractures and incidental findings.

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Funding

No funding was received for this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Institut fuer Diagnostische und Interventionelle Radiologie, Clinic of the Goethe University, Haus 23C UG, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

    Leon Guchlerner, Julian Lukas Wichmann, Patricia Tischendorf, Moritz Albrecht, Thomas Josef Vogl, Katrin Eichler & Claudia Frellesen

  2. Department of Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, Clinic of the Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany

    Sebastian Wutzler

  3. Department of Biostatistics and Mathematical Modelling, Clinic of the Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany

    Hanns Ackermann

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  1. Leon Guchlerner
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Leon Guchlerner.

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Conflict of interest

Julian L. Wichmann received speakers’ fees from GE Healthcare and Siemens Healthcare. Moritz H. Albrecht received speakers’ fees from Siemens Healthcare. The other authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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For this type of study, formal consent is not required. This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.

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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Guchlerner, L., Wichmann, J.L., Tischendorf, P. et al. Comparison of thick- and thin-slice images in thoracoabdominal trauma CT: a retrospective analysis. Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg 46, 187–195 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00068-018-1021-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00068-018-1021-9

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