The ribs unfolded - a CT visualization algorithm for fast detection of rib fractures: effect on sensitivity and specificity in trauma patients

Abstract

• In major blunt trauma, rib fractures are diagnosed with Computed Tomography. • Image processing can unfold all ribs into a single plane. • Unfolded ribs can be read twice as fast as axial images. • Unfolding the ribs allows a more accurate diagnosis of rib fractures.

Effect of Bone Reading CT software on radiologist performance in detecting bone metastases from breast cancer

“…The reading time required by both readers was also reduced, similar to the findings of other studies using this software for bone lesion detection. [4][5][6] In daily practice, breast cancer is one of most common malignant diseases for which chest CT scans are performed for the evaluation of metastasis. Readers can overlook metastatic bone lesions on CT scan when the evident bone destruction or softtissue formation is not accompanied.…”

“…The performance and usefulness of this software have been demonstrated in trauma and a few oncology patient groups. [4][5][6][7] However, to the best of our knowledge, the effect of this software on radiologist performance with different experience levels in breast cancer has not been reported yet.…”

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

“…It takes a longer time because of their curved shapes. In the literature, there are studies describing methods that can flatten anatomic structures like thoracic cage and cranium [7,12]. Seeing the whole structure at once in a single plane helps the reader to identify fractures and lytic or sclerotic lesions faster [9,10,13].…”

“…The rib-flattening method also allows the reader to rotate all the ribs through their long axes and generate sagittal, coronal, and axial images through the same point in separate image boxes. Ribs and vertebrae can be numbered automatically [7].…”

Improved Follow-Up and Response Monitoring of Thoracic Cage Involvement in Multiple Myeloma Using a Novel CT Postprocessing Software: The Lessons We Learned

“…The postprocessing software has already been described elsewhere [16,17]. Because all CT datasets were automatically assigned to the CT unfolded rib routine, no additional time was needed for the image reformation into rotatable unfolded rib images.…”