Promotion of residents' diagnostic accuracy of early ischemic infarct on nonenhanced brain computed tomography with a modified window setting.

摘要

BACKGROUND: To assess the effect of a modified window width and center level setting in promoting residents' interpretation of acute ischemic infarct on nonenhanced brain computed tomography (CT). METHODS: Nonenhanced brain CT images of 11 acute ischemic infarct patients were mixed with 11 control patients. Twelve residents reviewed the randomized images on standard setting (window width and center level of 80 and 30) and then on a modified setting (window width and center level of 40 and 40). RESULTS: There was significant elevation of sensitivity, positive predictive rate, and negative predictive rate (P < 0.05, Paired-Samples test) but no significant difference in specificity. CONCLUSION: The radiology department of hospitals with picture archiving and communication system may suggest that a modified brain CT setting according to individual CT scanner and scanning parameters accompany the standard settings to assist residents in the detection of acute ischemic infarct. It is a simple, economic, and effective method, which is worthy of more attention.