Evaluation of a two-image technique consisting of an axial and a coronal image generated by using the rib-flattening application: effect on reading time and diagnostic validity

Abstract

Background/aim: When reading a chest CT, a radiologist needs to evaluate each rib one by one due to complex curvy shape, which makes reporting a tiresome and time-consuming task. A new curved planar reformat application that flattens ribs on a single plane may find a place in the radiology reporting room. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a two-image set created by using the rib-flattening application on the performance of a radiologist in detecting sclerotic rib lesions in cancer patients. Materials and methods: The local Institutional Review Board approved this retrospective study.Two radiologists with different experience levels reviewed chest CT examinations of 106 patients 76 men, 30 women . We divided the patients into group A n = 54 , reviewed by a standard method, and group B n = 52 , reviewed by a standard method and the two-image set created on the rib-flattening application. Reading times, validity indices, and agreement levels with reference data were evaluated for both readers. Results: The median reading time of the junior examiner significantly decreased with the rib-flattening method 160.5 s vs. 70.0 s; P