Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Combining Volumetric Capnography And Barometric Plethysmography To Measure The Lung Structure-function Relationship
Published on: January 8, 2019
Quantification of pneumothorax size on chest radiographs using interpleural distances: regression analysis based on
C D Collins1, A Lopez, A Mathie
1Department of Radiology, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, Hammersmith Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to define the relationship between interpleural distance measurements on an erect posteroanterior chest radiograph and pneumothorax size as measured by helical CT in a series of patients.
Subjects And Methods:
Twenty pneumothoraces from 19 patients (10 males, nine females) were analyzed. Most pneumothoraces were on the right side (n = 16). The etiology was spontaneous in seven patients and iatrogenic in thirteen. All patients underwent an erect inspiratory posteroanterior radiograph and a helical CT scan of the thorax on the same visit to the radiology department. The interpleural distance was measured at three locations and the figures added together. Following helical CT of the thorax, the percentage pneumothorax size was calculated by drawing regions of interest around the relevant hemithorax and lung on 10-mm reconstructed slices. A scattergram of the sum of interpleural distances in centimeters versus percentage pneumothorax size was plotted.
Results:
Analysis of results showed that percentage pneumothorax size could be calculated by the formula Y = 4.2 + [4.7 x (A + B + C)], r = .98, p < .0001.
Conclusion:
This study identified a formula for accurately calculating percentage pneumothorax size as determined by helical CT from an erect posteroanterior radiograph. Using this formula with the clinical status of the patient should more easily identify patients requiring active intervention.
More Related Videos
02:09Multi-modal Pulmonary Imaging: Using Complementary Information from CT and Hyperpolarized 129Xe MRI to Evaluate Lung Structure-Function
Published on: April 12, 2024
03:38Unilateral Lung Volume Analysis Using Micro-CT for Enhanced Assessment of Pulmonary Fibrosis in Preclinical Models
Published on: June 20, 2025
Related Concept Videos
Respiratory Volumes
Tidal Volume (TV) Tidal volume (TV) is the air inhaled or exhaled in a...
Pressure Relationships in Thoracic Cavity
Breathing Mechanisms
Both intra-alveolar and intrapleural pressures rely on specific lung properties. The ability to breathe—allowing air to enter the lungs during...
Pneumothorax-I
Pneumothorax can be even further classified as spontaneous, traumatic, and tension pneumothorax.
Pneumothorax-II
Clinical Manifestations:
Pneumothorax II: Pathophysiology