Előszó

<p>An example of HRCT axial view and 3D-cHRCT images of lung with mild-IP. (a) HRCT axial view and 3D-HRCT image of the left lung; (b) anterior view, (c) anterolateral view, (d) right lateral view, (e) posterolateral view, (f) posterior view. %HAA values of this case was 6.74%.</p

Quantitative evaluation of interstitial pneumonia using 3D-curved high-resolution CT imaging parallel to the chest wall: A pilot study

<div><p>Objectives</p><p>To quantify the imaging findings of patients with interstitial pneumonia (IP) and emphysema using three-dimensional curved high-resolution computed tomography (3D-cHRCT) at a constant depth from the chest wall, and compare the results to visual assessment of IP and each patient’s diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLco).</p><p>Methods</p><p>We retrospectively reviewed the axial CT findings and pulmonary function test results of 95 patients with lung cancer (72 men and 23 women, aged 45–84 years) with or without IP, as follows: non-IP (n = 47), mild IP (n = 31), and moderate IP (n = 17). The 3D-cHRCT images of the lung at a 1-cm depth from the chest wall were reconstructed automatically using original software; total area (TA), high-attenuation area (HAA) >-500 HU, and low-attenuation area (LAA) <-950 HU were calculated on a workstation. The %HAA and %LAA were calculated as follows: , and .</p><p>Results</p><p>The %HAA and %LAA respective values were 3.2±0.9 and 27.7±8.2, 3.9±1.2 and 27.6±5.9, and 6.9±2.2 and 25.4±8.7 in non-IP, mild IP, and moderate IP patients, respectively. There were significant differences in %HAA between the 3 groups of patients (<i>P</i><0.001), but no differences in %LAA (<i>P</i> = 0.558). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that %HAA and %LAA were negatively correlated with predicted DLco (standard partial regression coefficient [b*] = -0.453, <i>P</i><0.001; b* = -0.447, <i>P</i><0.001, respectively).</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>The %HAA and %LAA values computed using 3D-cHRCT were significantly correlated with DLco and may be important quantitative parameters for both IP and emphysema.</p></div

Patient characteristics.

<p>Patient characteristics.</p

Attenuation values from 3D-cHRCT images of patients with normal and low %DLCO.

<p>Attenuation values from 3D-cHRCT images of patients with normal and low %DLCO.</p

A patient with clinical and radiological typical usual interstitial pneumonia.

<p>A patient with clinical and radiological typical usual interstitial pneumonia. (a) Axial HRCT image and dashed line indicating 1-cm depth from the chest wall; multiple-view 3D-cHRCT images showing the 3D distribution of IP infiltrates; (b) left lateral view, (c) posterior view, (d) right lateral view.</p

CT visual assessment, values of %HAA and %LAA determined on 3D-cHRCT and PFT of patients classified according to visually assessed severity of interstitial pneumonia.

<p>CT visual assessment, values of %HAA and %LAA determined on 3D-cHRCT and PFT of patients classified according to visually assessed severity of interstitial pneumonia.</p

3D scatter diagrams show the correlation between %DL_CO and quantitative CT parameters.

<p>3D scatter diagrams show the correlation between %DLCO and quantitative CT parameters. Both %HAA and %LAA are indicators of low diffusion capacity (standard partial regression coefficient [b*] = -0.453, <i>P</i> <0.001; b* = -0.447, P <0.001, respectively).</p

An example of HRCT axial view and 3D-cHRCT images of lung without IP.

<p>An example of HRCT axial view and 3D-cHRCT images of lung without IP. (a) HRCT axial view and 3D-HRCT image of the left lung; (b) anterior view, (c) anterolateral view, (d) right lateral view, (e) posterolateral view, (f) posterior view. %HAA values of this case was 2.53%.</p

Schematic diagram of 3D-cMPR imaging at a constant depth from the chest wall and assessment.

<p>Overall schematic diagram of the three-dimensional, curved high-resolution CT (3D-cHRCT) image at a constant depth from the chest wall and how it is used for assessment. Total area (TA), low attenuation area (LAA [< -950 HU]), and high attenuation area (%HAA) [> -500 HU]), which were obtained from 3D-cHRCT images, were computed on a workstation using a novel CAD program.</p

Multivariate logistic regression analysis for %DLCO <80%.

<p>Multivariate logistic regression analysis for %DLCO <80%.</p