This study aimed to assess the effect of matrix size on the spatial resolution and image quality of ultra-high-resolution computed tomography (U-HRCT). Slit phantoms and 11 cadaveric lungs were scanned on U-HRCT. Slit phantom scans were reconstructed using a 20-mm field of view (FOV) with 1024 matrix size and a 320-mm FOV with 512, 1024, and 2048 matrix sizes. Cadaveric lung scans were reconstructed using 512, 1024, and 2048 matrix sizes. Three observers subjectively scored the images on a three-point scale (1 = worst, 3 = best), in terms of overall image quality, noise, streak artifact, vessel, bronchi, and image findings. The median score of the three observers was evaluated by Wilcoxon signed-rank test with Bonferroni correction. Noise was measured quantitatively and evaluated with the Tukey test. A P value of <.05 was considered significant. The maximum spatial resolution was 0.14 mm; among the 320-mm FOV images, the 2048 matrix had the highest resolution and was significantly better than the 1024 matrix in terms of overall quality, solid nodule, ground-glass opacity, emphysema, intralobular reticulation, honeycombing, and clarity of vessels (P < .05). Both the 2048 and 1024 matrices performed significantly better than the 512 matrix (P < .001), except for noise and streak artifact. The visual and quantitative noise decreased significantly in the order of 512, 1024, and 2048 (P < .001). In U-HRCT scans, a large matrix size maintained the spatial resolution and improved the image quality and assessment of lung diseases, despite an increase in image noise, when compared to a 512 matrix size.

The importance of interstitial lung abnormality incidentally found at CT is increasingly recognized, and radiologists have a central role in management and research on interstitial lung abnormalities. The clinical importance of interstitial lung abnormality (ILA) is increasingly recognized. In July 2020, the Fleischner Society published a position paper about ILA. The purposes of this article ar...

Disruption of air bronchiologram and a solid portion greater than 0.8 cm at high-spatial-resolution CT was associated with a greater likelihood of invasiveness in lung adenocarcinoma. Background High-spatial-resolution (HSR) CT provides detailed information and clear delineation of lung anatomy and disease states. HSR CT may have high diagnostic performance for predicting invasi...

Interstitial lung abnormalities are incidental findings at chest CT that may have potential clinical significance and be associated with increased risk for lung cancer and complications related to ... Interstitial lung abnormality (ILA) is defined as an interstitial change detected incidentally on CT images. It is seen in 4%–9% of smokers and 2%–7% of nonsmokers. ILA has a tendency to progress w... Created with BioRender.com

Hata A, et al. Korean J Radiol. 2021 Apr;22(4):634-651. https://doi.org/10.3348/kjr.2020.1136