Evaluation of pulmonary lobe variations using multidetector row computed tomography
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 9, 2026
Multi-modal Pulmonary Imaging: Using Complementary Information from CT and Hyperpolarized 129Xe MRI to Evaluate Lung Structure-Function
Published on: April 12, 2024
Mawlan Mahmut1, Hiromu Nishitani
1Department of Radiology, Institute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima, Tokushima, Japan.
Purpose:
To examine incomplete pulmonary lobes and their variations using multiplanar reformation (MPR) techniques of isotropic voxel data produced by multidetector row computed tomography (CT).
Materials And Methods:
The subjects were 1000 patients who underwent thoracic CT. All examinations were performed using 16-row multidetector CT with a slice thickness of 1 mm. Interlobar fissures were observed by scrolling MPR techniques for various directions.
Results:
Incomplete interlobar fissure was observed in 42.2% of subjects. Incomplete interlobar fissures between the right upper and middle lobes were observed in 20.4% of subjects, right major fissure was recorded in 17.4%, and left major fissure in 19.2%. Excessive fissure formation was observed in 8% of subjects (4 lobes on the right in 5.7%, 3 lobes on the left in 2.3%). Approximately half of the subjects with incomplete interlobar fissures had coexisting abnormalities in other lobes, whereas approximately one third of those with excessive fissures had coexisting abnormalities in other lobes.
Conclusions:
The incidence of incomplete lobulation observed by multidetector CT in this study is remarkably lower than that reported in previous CT studies but is comparable with that reported from autopsy results. It is important to perform multidirectional observation using MPR.
Related Concept Videos
01:13Radiological Investigation III: Pulmonary Angiogram and PET Scan
Pulmonary Angiogram
A Pulmonary Angiogram is an invasive procedure involving injecting a contrast medium through a catheter threaded into the pulmonary artery or the right side of the heart to visualize the pulmonary vasculature. Computed Tomography (CT) scans have mainly replaced this...
01:27Imaging Studies III: Computed Tomography
01:10Computed Tomography
The technique was invented in the 1970s and is based on the principle that as X-rays pass through the body, they are absorbed or reflected at different levels. In the technique, a patient lies on a motorized platform while a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scanner rotates...
01:30Radiological Investigation II: MRI and Ventilation Perfusion Scan
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Ventilation Perfusion Scans are two radiological investigations that offer detailed diagnostic images of the body, particularly lung structures.
MRI
MRI uses magnetic fields and radiofrequency signals to distinguish between normal and abnormal tissues. This technology provides a more detailed diagnostic image than CT scans, enabling it to characterize pulmonary nodules, stage bronchogenic carcinoma, and evaluate inflammatory activity in...