Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Automated Measurement of Pulmonary Emphysema and Small Airway Remodeling in Cigarette Smoke-exposed Mice
Published on: January 16, 2015
[Does HRCT-emphysema index represent the entire lung?]
T Achenbach1, C Buschsieweke, A Gerhards
1Klinik und Poliklinik für Radiologie, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, Mainz. achenbac@uni-mainz.de
Purpose:
: Comparison of emphysema index derived of thin section MD-CT of the entire lung volume and HRCT, simulated by calculation of every twentieth image of the whole data-set.
Materials And Methods:
Pulmonary emphysema was quantified by semiautomatic, segmentation of lung borders and assessment of lung volume and emphysema volume within these borders. The emphysema index (pixel index) was calculated. Statistical analysis was done by the sign-test and Bland-Altman-analysis.
Results:
Median lung volume, emphysema volume and emphysema index are significantly higher in simulated HRCT. Median lung volume (emphysema volume) calculated by HRCT is 5118 ml (407 ml) and 5040 ml (367 ml) calculated by the entire MD-CT data-set, representing differences of 1 and 8 % related to the median lung and emphysema volumes. Emphysema index is 0.09 (HRCT) and 0.08 (MD-CT).
Conclusion:
HRCT overrates emphysema index compared to thin section MD-CT of the entire lung volume.
Related Concept Videos
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-I: Introduction
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease I: Introduction
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease II: Emphysema
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations

