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Lobar distribution of emphysema in computed tomographic densitometric analysis
1Third Department of Internal Medicine, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Japan.
Investigative Radiology
|April 14, 2000
Summary
Emphysema distribution varies by lung lobe. Lower lobe emphysema significantly impacts airflow limitation, residual volume, and total lung capacity more than upper lobe emphysema.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Emphysema is a chronic lung disease characterized by damage to the alveoli.
- The distribution of emphysema within the lung can vary, potentially affecting disease severity and progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the extent of emphysema in individual lung lobes using CT densitometry.
- To determine if the lobar distribution of emphysema influences pulmonary function parameters.
Main Methods:
- Helical computed tomography (CT) and pulmonary function tests were conducted on 50 patients with emphysema.
- CT densitometric analysis was used to calculate the percentage of low attenuation volume, representing the extent of emphysema, in each lobe.
Main Results:
- Overall emphysema extent was 44% in the study cohort.
- Airflow limitation and residual volume strongly correlated with lower lobe emphysema extent.
- Diffusing capacity correlated with upper lobe emphysema extent.
- Patients with predominantly lower lobe emphysema exhibited significantly worse airflow limitation, higher residual volumes, and greater total lung capacity compared to those with predominantly upper lobe disease.
Conclusions:
- CT densitometry reveals a distinct lobar distribution pattern in emphysema.
- The lobar distribution of emphysema significantly impacts key pulmonary function measures, differentiating between upper and lower lobe predominant disease.