Quantitative assessment of pulmonary function in lymphangioleiomyomatosis patients using high-resolution computed tomography and pulmonary function tests

Abstract

Background: To explore the feasibility of using quantitative high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) to evaluate pulmonary function in patients with pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis (PLAM). Methods: Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were performed in 30 patients with pathologically confirmed PLAM with the use of HRCT. These results were correlated with quantitative HRCT in 21 patients. Results: There were significant correlations between the HRCT parameters for lung function and PFT parameters. Among these parameters, emphysema volume (EV), pulmonary volume with a pixel index less than the trigger threshold (−950 HU) to account for a proportion of total lung volume [PI-950 (%)] and forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity [FEV1/FVC (%)] had the strongest correlations, reaching values between −0.71 and −0.68. HRCT lung function might therefore also be helpful for predicting changes in lung function before and after treatment. Conclusions: HRCT is helpful for the assessment of pulmonary function in PLAM patients and can assist in the clinical evaluation of lung function and treatment response in patients with this disease.

Quantitative Evaluation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Risk Prediction of Acute Exacerbation by High-Resolution Computed Tomography

“…HRCT is an ideal method to study the phenotype of COPD. Through quantitative analysis of the dynamic changes in the respiratory biphasic pixel index, CT scanning at the end of deep inspiration and expiration can be used to evaluate the pulmonary function test (PFT) directly and objectively [ 8 , 9 ]. In addition, the systemic inflammatory response is a key factor in the occurrence and development of COPD.…”