Clinical Impact of Renal Coronal Images from 16 Multidetector Spiral CT Raw Data: Comparison with Axial Images

Park, Hyoung Keun; Jeong, Chang Wook; Byun, Seok Soo; Lee, Hak Jong; Hwang, Sung Il; Kim, Seung Hyup; Lee, Sang Eun

Abstract

PURPOSE
We evaluated the clinical usefulness of coronal reformatted renal images from raw 16 Multidetector Spiral CT (MDCT) data in the evaluation of the renal vascular anatomy and renal lesions.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Twenty-one patients, who had undergone a nephrectomy, were studied, including 16 with renal cell carcinomas, 3 with transitional cell carcinomas and 2 with renal injuries due to renal trauma or a huge cyst rupture. The 5mm thickness summated axial and reformatted coronal renal CT images were retrospectively evaluated by two reviewers. Self-administered visual analogue scales were used to assess the subjective perception score in evaluating the renal vascular anatomy and anatomical perception of the renal lesions on the axial and coronal images, or both, respectively. The numbers of axial and coronal CT image cuts needed to evaluate the renal vascular anatomy and renal lesions were also counted.
RESULTS
Although one reviewer showed no statistical difference in preference toward the axial and coronal images, or both (ANOVA, p=0.36), the other reviewer preferred the coronal or combined images to that of the axial images in evaluating the vascular anatomy (ANOVA, p<0.05). Less image cuts were needed in evaluating the renal vascular anatomy in the coronal compared to the axial images (Student's t-test (paired), p<0.01). Both the reviewers preferred the coronal or combined images in the anatomical perception of renal lesions (ANOVA, p<0.01). Also, in the perception of renal lesions, the coronal images needed less image cuts than the axial images (Student's t-test (paired), p<0.01).
CONCLUSIONS
Coronal reformatted renal images from raw MDCT data allow for the rapid and easy interpretation of the renal vascular anatomy and renal lesions.