Fig 1.
Images of lung fields are reconstructed with different thicknesses, increments, and matrix sizes, which are named as Group5 (a), Group10 (b), and Group10Thin (c). First, we chose a bronchiole randomly in Group5(a) (short arrow), and tracked the duct to the most peripherally visible end in Group5 (d) (black dot). Then, tracked the same bronchiole to its end in Group10(b) and Group10Thin(c) (short arrows). The distances between the bronchiole ends and the pleura in Group5(d), Group10(e), and Group10Thin(f) were measured (7.2 mm, 4.2 mm, and 4.0 mm, respectively in this case, long arrows). Image (d), (e), and (f) are the same slice images of image (a), (b), and (c), respectively, with annotations. Thick white lines and black dots show visible bronchiole ducts and their ends, respectively. Thin white lines show the distances between the ends and the pleura. The numbers below images mean matrix size and slice thickness / increment (mm).
Table 1.
Summary of patient characteristics.
Table 2.
Distances between peripheral bronchial ends and the nearest pleural surface in Group5, Group10, and Group10Thin.
Table 3.
Radiation doses (mean ± standard error).