Abstract 17103: Comparison of Non-Cardiac Findings by a Cardiologist with Those by a Radiologist in 320 Slice CT Images

Abstract

Purpose: We compared non-cardiac findings, in particular lung findings, by a cardiologist with those by a radiologist in 320 slice CT heart images.

Methods: Non-cardiac findings using full field view ECG gated 320 slice CT (Aquilion one) heart images acquired from 150 consecutive subjects (90 male; mean age, 62.3 yrs) were analyzed retrospectively by a cardiologist and by a radiologist team without any clinical data, and the findings of each examiner were compared. Of 150 subjects, 87 subjects underwent only heart imaging (Group 1), and 63 underwent whole thorax imaging for additional evaluation of thoracic aorta or pulmonary embolism (Group 2).

Results: Of 150 subjects, non-cardiac findings were reported in 52 subjects by the cardiologist and 78 subjects by the radiologists. In Group 1, suspected lung cancer, interstitial pneumonia, benign or inflammation lung disease, findings that should be followed up, and previously known non-cardiac findings were reported in 0, 0, 13, 19 and 1 subject, respectively, by the cardiologist and 2, 8, 28, 2 and 2 subjects, respectively, by the radiologists. In Group 2, suspected lung cancer, interstitial pneumonia, benign or inflammation lung disease, findings that should be followed up, and previously known non-cardiac findings were reported in 0, 0, 7, 11 and 1 subject, respectively, by the cardiologist and 2, 5, 26, 1 and 2 subjects, respectively, by the radiologists. In 3 subjects who were diagnosed as lung cancer by radiologists, only 2 were diagnosed as findings that should be followed by the cardiologist.

Conclusion: Among 150 subjects, 3 were de novo lung cancer diagnosed by radiologists. One lung cancer subject was missed when analysis was performed only by the cardiologist, and, therefore, non-cardiac findings should be evaluated by radiologists. Even when using only heart images, non-cardiac and lung findings on CT should be evaluated by radiologists, and cardiologists should examine full field thoracic images when possible.