Objective: The aim of our study was to determine the efficiency and effectiveness of picture archiving and communication system(PACS) workstation in detecting the sizes and attenuation of malignant solitary pulmonary nodules(SPNs). Methods: Forty patients with malignant SPNs(diameter ≤ 3 cm) underwent multidetector-row computed tomography(CT) of the chest in a single-breath-hold technique. The raw data were acquired with a collimation of 0.625 mm. The diameters and attenuation of malignant SPNs were measured on PACS and CT workstation respectively. The diameter was defined as the average value of the anteroposterior, lateral and superoinferior diameters on CT scans obtained with a mediastinal window setting. The superoinferior diameters were measured on MPR image. The diameters and attenuation of malignant SPNs and spending time in measuring were recorded. Results: The diameters of malignant SPNs measured on a PACS and CT workstation were 2.09 cm ± 0.87 cm, 2.07 cm ± 0.79 cm, respectively. There was not statistically significant difference in the diameters of malignant SPNs between that measured on a PACS workstation and that on a CT workstation(t = 1.580, P = 0.210 > 0.05). The attenuation of malignant SPNs measured on a PACS and CT workstation were 40.15 HU ± 7.53 HU, 39.99 HU ± 8.13 HU, respectively. There was not statistically significant difference in the attenuation of malignant SPNs between that measured on a PACS workstation and that on a CT workstation(t = 1.008, P = 0.298 > 0.05). The spending time in measuring on a PACS and CT workstation were 55 s ± 4.03 s, 56 s ± 3.95 s, respectively. No statistically significant difference was found in spending time in measuring between that on a PACS workstation and that on a CT workstation(t = 0.958, P = 0.315 > 0.05). Conclusion: The efficiency and effectiveness of PACS workstation is as same as those of CT workstation in detecting the sizes and attenuation of malignant SPNs. It is suggested that the size and attenuation of malignant SPNs are measured on a PACS and CT workstation.
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