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Focal airtrapping at expiratory high-resolution CT: comparison with pulmonary function tests
H U Kauczor1, J Hast, C P Heussel
1Department of Radiology, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Germany.
European Radiology
|October 25, 2000
Summary
Focal airtrapping is common in 80% of patients, particularly those with restrictive lung function. Visual assessment of airtrapping on CT scans does not directly correlate with obstruction severity from pulmonary function tests.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Pulmonology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Focal airtrapping is a finding on computed tomography (CT) scans.
- Its prevalence and correlation with lung function are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence, extent, and severity of focal airtrapping using expiratory high-resolution CT.
- To compare focal airtrapping with patient age, gender, pulmonary function tests (PFTs), and blood gas analysis.
Main Methods:
- Paired inspiratory/expiratory high-resolution CT scans were performed on 217 patients.
- Visual assessment of focal airtrapping was done using a four-point scale.
- PFTs and blood gas analysis were correlated with CT findings.
Main Results:
- Focal airtrapping was observed in 80% of patients, predominantly in the lower lungs.
- Patients with restrictive lung function impairment showed higher focal airtrapping scores.
- Focal airtrapping correlated negatively with static lung volumes and positively with dynamic parameters in obstructed patients.
Conclusions:
- Visual assessment of focal airtrapping on expiratory CT is prevalent but does not directly correlate with physiological evidence of obstruction.
- Adequate expiratory effort is necessary for the visual perception of focal airtrapping.