This study evaluates ultra-low-dose computed tomography (ULDCT) protocols concerning the detectability of pulmonary nodules. The influence of tube current settings, kernels, strength levels of third-generation iterative reconstruction algorithms, and pitch was investigated. A chest phantom with artificial spherical nodules of different densities and diameters was examined with a third-generation dual-source CT. Scanning and post-processing protocols, tube current levels, and ultra-high and non-high pitch modes were applied. Images were reconstructed with filtered back-projection (FBP) or advanced model-based iterative reconstruction (ADMIRE) algorithms. Sharp (Bl57) or medium-soft (Br36) convolution kernels were applied. The reading was performed by an experienced and an inexperienced reader. The highest observer sensitivity was found using a non-high pitch protocol at tube currents of 120 mAs and 90 mAs with the sharp kernel and iterative reconstruction level of 5. Non-high pitch protocols showed better detectability of solid nodules. Combinations with the medium-soft kernel achieved slightly higher observer sensitivity than with the sharp kernel. False positives (FP) occurred more often for subsolid nodules, at a tube current level of 120 mAs, and with the sharp kernel. A tube current level of 90 mAs combined with the highest iterative reconstruction level achieved the highest accuracy in lung nodule detection regardless of size, density, and reader experience.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether preoperative MRI has an impact on surgical planning in breast cancer patients. Tumor extent and molecular breast cancer subtypes were evaluated. Methods: This was a single-center study including 137 female patients with a first diagnosis of invasive breast cancer. Each patient had a standard clinical preoperative workup and an additional breast MRI. The interdisciplinary tumor board made written recommendations regarding the surgical therapy of each patient with and without the knowledge of the MRI findings. Results: The addition of MRI led to changes in surgical recommendations in 32 (23%) of the 137 patients. The highest rate of change in surgical therapy recommendations was observed in patients with multifocal tumors (53%). Molecular subtype had no influence on the changes in surgical therapy recommendations (p = 0.8). Conclusions: Patients with multifocal breast tumors were more likely to have a change in surgical therapy following MRI.