[Newly developed method of computed tomography scanning to obtain three-dimensional graphics for supporting pulmonary...

To acquire the pulmonary artery (PA) and pulmonary vein (PV) image separately, we scanned PA phase while X-ray source moved caudal direction, followed by continuous scan of PV phase by moving back reverse direction. We assessed some scanning conditions to shorten scanning time and determined the starting time for scanning to obtain the maximum intensity difference of radio-opaque contrast between PA and PV phase. Additional infusion of normal saline was followed after contrast medium administration. Finally, scanning could be finished almost 10 seconds with only 20 ml contrast medium for establish three-dimensional (3D) images of pulmonary vessels, and the residual contrast medium could be used for consecutive usual preoperative computed tomography (CT). Twenty-three patients who underwent lung resection were assessed their preoperative 3D-CT images using 5-point scale; 5 and 4 as good, 3 as fair, 2 and 1 as poor. As a result, 18 (78.3%) and 1 (4.3%) were categorized as good and poor, respectively. We successfully decreased the frequency of CT and contrast agent dose for 3D-CT in patients being scheduled for lung resection by the new methods reported herein. Additionally, the workload of building up 3D-CT images by medical workers was also reduced.