Computerized estimation of the lung volume removed during lung volume reduction surgery

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to develop an automated method for estimating lung volume removed during lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) using computed tomography (CT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The CT examinations of six patients who underwent bilateral LVRS were analyzed in this study. The resected lung tissue (right and left) was weighed during pathologic examination. An automated computer scheme was developed to estimate the lung volume removed using the CT voxel values and lung specimen weight. The computed fraction of lung volume removed was evaluated across a range of simulated surgical planes (ie, other than parallel to the CT image plane) and CT reconstruction kernels, and it was compared with the surgeons' postsurgical estimates. RESULTS: The computed fraction of the lung volume removed during LVRS was linearly correlated with the resected lung tissue weight (Pearson correlation = 0.697, P = .012). The computed fraction of lung volume removed ranged from 12.9% to 51.7% of the total lung volume. The surgeons' postsurgical estimates of lung volume removed ranged from 30% to 33%. The percent difference between the surgeons' estimates and the computed lung volume removed as a percentage of the surgeons' estimates ranged from -72.3% to 57.0% with mean absolute difference of 29.7% (+/-20.7). CONCLUSION: The preliminary findings of this study suggest that the proposed quantitative model should provide an objective measure of lung volume removed during LVRS that may be used to investigate the relationship between lung volume removed and outcome.     

MSCT在肺体积测量中的应用

当胸部在钝性外力作用下受损严重时,引起胸壁、胸膜、肺、气管或食管的破裂,气体或(和)血液经破裂口进入并积存在胸膜腔中,形成气胸、血胸或血气胸,此时胸膜腔内负压消失,肺组织受到压迫,出现肺萎缩现象.在法医临床学,要求鉴定人能在准确测量血胸的出血量和把握肺萎缩程度(百分比)的基础上,使用人体损伤程度鉴定标准中的相关条款进行损伤程度鉴定.     

微创非切除法肺减容术的研究进展

微创治疗是肺减容术(LVRS)治疗重度肺气肿的发展方向,随着新方法和新器械的不断出现及改进,这种治疗将成为重度肺气肿病人的另一个重要选择。该文回顾了目前肺气肿治疗的概况,就微创肺减容术的方法、器械以及初步研究成果和最新进展等进行了综述。     

Regional tidal volume assessed by gated lung imaging

We have measured regional lung tidal volumes and functional residual capacities by accumulating and framing iso-volumic images while the patient rebreathes 127Xe. As the lung changes shape during ventilation corrections for changes in geometry were obtained by simultaneous collection of 99Tcm counts from the gated perfusion scan. Regions of interest were made to vary throughout the respiratory cycle so that a region had always the same value of 99Tcm counts. From the corrected 127Xe counts regional tidal volumes (TVr) and functional residual capacities (FRCr) were derived. In patients with established chronic bronchitis and emphysema FRCr were greater and the ratio TVr/FRCr decreased compared with patients with relatively normal static and dynamic lung volumes. Preliminary studies suggest that this ratio was a better discriminator between normal and abnormal regional function than estimates of regional xenon washout. Studies with xenon-133 have contributed to our understanding of the physiology of ventilation but have contributed somewhat less to routine clinical practice. This results in part from the unsatisfactory physical properties of xenon-133. Its relatively low gamma ray energy of 80 keV results in significant self-absorption losses and the activity which may be administered is limited by the radiation dose from the associated beta particles so that relatively poor counting statistics are obtained. With inhaled technetium-99m (99Tcm) microspheres imaging conditions are greatly improved but the distribution of these particles may not equate with the distribution of ventilation particularly if wet particles are used. Moreover, simultaneous microsphere perfusion scans with technetium-99m as a label are impossible. Krypton-81m gas has a suitable energy but the short half-life of the rubidium-81m generator (4.7 h) makes supply difficult and the ultrashort half-life of the krypton-81m gas (13 s) leads to problems in calculating the indices of ventilation. Xenon-127 (127Xe) gas has a more favourable dosimetry profile than xenon-133 because it does not have associated beta particles. Further it has an energy (203 keV) suitable for modern gamma cameras and may be used in the presence of injected 99Tcm microspheres to provide simultaneous ventilation/perfusion imaging. Conventional techniques have assumed that a static image of a dynamic process is adequate. As the lungs move during imaging, some account of this respiratory movement should be made.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Fetal relative lung volume: quantification by using prenatal MR imaging lung volumetry

PURPOSE: To retrospectively determine a biometric algorithm for calculating relative lung volume in fetuses with normal lungs and of a wide range of gestational ages by using proved independent variables and to retrospectively investigate the use of this algorithm in fetuses with pulmonary hypoplasia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total lung volume (TLV) was measured by using planimetry on single-shot rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement magnetic resonance (MR) images obtained in 91 fetuses with ultrasonographically (US) normal chests and 28 fetuses with US-determined pulmonary hypoplasia. All fetuses were aged between 18 and 38 weeks gestation. Analysis of covariance was used to identify parameters that were not different between the fetuses with US-determined normal and those with US-determined abnormal chests, and these variables were used to construct an algorithm for calculating predicted lung volume. The relative lung volume-that is, the observed lung volume expressed as a percentage of the predicted lung volume-was then calculated in fetuses with pulmonary hypoplasia. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in mean maternal or gestational age between the two fetus groups. Stepwise regression analysis was used to generate the following equation for predicting fetal lung volume on the basis of independent biometric indexes, with a correlation coefficient of 0.93: TLV = (0.52 . LV) + (0.33 . BD) - (0.06 . FL) - 13.7, with TLV and liver volume (LV) in milliliters and biparietal diameter (BD) and femoral length (FL) in centimeters. In the fetuses with normal chests, relative lung volume varied between 51% and 134%. In the fetuses with pulmonary hypoplasia, relative lung volume varied between 6% and 70%. CONCLUSION: The predicted lung volume in fetuses of a wide range of gestational ages can be calculated with a high degree of accuracy, enabling prenatal MR imaging lung volumetry in which relative lung volume is used to quantify fetal pulmonary hypoplasia.     

Impact of lung volume on MR signal intensity changes of the lung parenchyma

PURPOSE: To test the hypothesis that, in magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of healthy individuals, equal relative changes in lung volume cause equal relative changes in MR signal intensity of the lung parenchyma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In two experimental runs, 10 volunteers underwent spirometrically monitored MR imaging of the lungs, with MR images acquired at 10 incremental lung volumes ranging from total lung capacity to 10% above residual volume. Average signal intensity, signal variability, and signal intensity integrals were calculated for each volunteer and for each lung volume. The effect of lung volume on signal intensity was quantified using linear regression analysis complemented by the runs test. Slopes and intercepts of regression lines were compared with an analysis of covariance. Slopes of the lines of best fit for lung volumes and signal intensities from the two runs were compared to the slope of the line of identity. Comparisons between the two runs were visualized using Bland and Altman plots. RESULTS: The slopes of the 10 individual regression lines yielded no significant differences (F = 1.703, P = 0.101; F = 1.321, P = 0.239). The common slopes were -0.556 +/- 0.027 (P = 0.0001) for the first and -0.597 +/- 0.0031 (P = 0.0001) for the second experimental run. Both slopes displayed no significant nonlinearity (P = 0.419 and P = 0.067). There was a strong association between changes in lung volumes (rs = 0.991, P = 0.0001) and changes in signal intensity (rs = 0.889, P = 0.0001) in the two experimental runs. Lines of best fit for lung volume and signal intensities were not significantly different from the slope of the line of identity (P = 0.321 and P = 0.212, respectively). CONCLUSION: Equal changes in lung volume cause equal changes in MR signal intensity of the lung parenchyma. This linear and reproducible phenomenon could be helpful in comparing pulmonary MR signal intensity between individuals.     

多层螺旋CT三维重组对肺减容术前的形态学评估

目的探讨多层螺旋CT（MSCT）容积再现技术（VRT）显示肺气肿组织最佳的重组阈值区间，及其作为肺减容术（LVRS）靶区（拟行切除的肺气肿组织）显示手段的价值。方法对56例拟行LVRS的肺气肿患者行呼气相肺部扫描，按照CT检查时间的先后将患者分为A组和B组。以-1024～-960HU、-1024～-910HU分别作为LVRS手术靶区的重组阈值区间，对A组的原始薄层图像行VRT重组，并将2种重组阈值的VRT图像分别与轴面图像、多平面重组（MPR）图像对比，确定显示LVRS靶区的最佳重组阈值区间。B组根据A组选定的重组阈值区间进行VRT重组，计数并对比VRT与二维图像中直径≥3cm的肺大泡在各肺叶的分布，应用配对t检验验证2种计数结果。结果A组中以-1024 — -960HU作为肺气肿重组阈值区间的VRT图像对LVRS手术靶区显示较佳，与相对正常肺组织对比较鲜明，病变的程度、范围与二维图像符合程度高。B组中VRT图像与原始图像分析结果一致，对肺大泡的定位及计数结果与原始图像基本一致，肺右上、右中、右下、左上、左下叶计数对比，二维图像分别显示：（4．22±2．09）、（4、44±2．59）、（2．18±0．92）、（3．54±2．03）和（4．40±2．42）个；VRT分别显示：（4．12±2．12）、（4．44±2．59）、（2．18±0．87）、（3．50±1．99）和（4．28±2．28）个（t值分别为1．98、0．00、1．77、1．76、1．81，P值均〉0．05）。结论以-1024～-960HU作为肺气肿组织的重组阈值，VRT成像可以准确显示肺气肿的分布类型，立体直观的显示LVRS手术靶区，为术前形态评估和术后效果预测提供了新方法。     

重力和肺容积对MR肺灌注的影响

目的 用血流敏感性交替反转恢复(FAIR)序列评价重力和肺容积对MR肺灌注血流分布的影响.方法 应用GE 1.5 T MR系统,10名健康志愿者取仰卧位呼气末屏气时,用FAIR序列自背侧至腹侧每隔3 cm依次进行5个冠状面(依次标记为P3、P6、P9、P12、P15)扫描,之后再对P3层面在吸气末屏气时扫描.对5个冠状面的相对肺血流量(rPBF)进行方差分析,同一层面左、右肺rPBF间进行配对t检验,并对5个层面和rPBF进行线性回归分析;分析P3层面在不同呼吸相时反转脉冲标记前、后双肺信号强度变化率(⊿SI%)、rPBF及P3层面肺面积(Area)的变化情况,并进行配对t检验.结果 (1)5个不同冠状面:在重力方向上,右肺由后至前的rPBF依次为:100.57±18.22、79.57±12.36、61.65±11.15、48.92±9.96、41.20±9.88;左肺为:106.61±26.99、78.89±11.98、64.00±13.64、51.27±8.95、43.04±12.18;除P12与P15间差异无统计学意义外(P＞0.05),其余两两之间差异均有统计学意义(F值分别为27.43、15.83,P值均＜0.05),rPBF由后至前是逐渐减小的;在非重力方向上,即同一冠状面,左、右肺rPBF之间差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);回归系数(r值)右肺为-4.98,左肺为-5.16.(2)P3层面在不同呼吸相时:右肺呼气相和吸气相的⊿SI%、rPBF、Area分别为1.12±0.31和0.71±0.18、90.78±17.35和52.85±8.75、(12.59±3.23)×103mm2和(17.77±4.24)×103mm2;左肺呼气相和吸气相的⊿SI%、rPBF、Area分别为1.01±0.24和0.70±0.11、91.08±18.68和54.58±10.70、(12.34±3.08)×103mm2和(17.34±4.98)×103mm2.不同呼吸相时⊿SI%、rPBF、Area间差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05),呼气末的⊿SI%及rPBF明显高于吸气末;吸气末Area明显大于呼气末.结论 FAIR评价肺灌注在重力方向的灌注梯度是比较敏感的,不同呼吸相时肺灌注之间存在差异,所以检查时将感兴趣区置于重力依赖性区域,并在呼气末屏气可以提高灌注缺损的检出率.     

Assessment of lung volume collapsibility in chronic obstructive lung disease patients using CT

Objective

To investigate the collapsibility of the lung and individual lobes in patients with COPD during inspiration/expiration and assess the association of whole lung and lobar volume changes with pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and disease severity.

Methods

PFT measures used were RV/TLC%, FEV1% predicted, FVC, FEV1/FVC%, DLco% predicted and GOLD category. A total of 360 paired inspiratory and expiratory CT examinations acquired in 180 subjects were analysed. Automated computerised algorithms were used to compute individual lobe and total lung volumes. Lung volume collapsibility was assessed quantitatively using the simple difference between CT computed inspiration (I) and expiration (E) volumes (I-E), and a relative measure of volume changes, (I-E)/I.

Results

Mean absolute collapsibility (I-E) decreased in all lung lobes with increasing disease severity defined by GOLD classification. Relative collapsibility (I-E)/I showed a similar trend. Upper lobes had lower volume collapsibility across all GOLD categories and lower lobes collectively had the largest volume collapsibility. Whole lung and left lower lobe collapsibility measures tended to have the highest correlations with PFT measures. Collapsibility of lung lobes and whole lung was also negatively correlated with the degree of air trapping between expiration and inspiration, as measured by mean lung density. All measured associations were statistically significant (P?<?0.01).

Conclusion

Severity of COPD appears associated with increased collapsibility in the upper lobes, but change (decline) in collapsibility is faster in the lower lobes.

Key Points

? Inspiratory and expiratory computed tomography allows assessment of lung collapsibility ? Lobe volume collapsibility is significantly correlated with measures of lung function. ? As COPD severity increases, collapsibility of individual lung lobes decreases. ? Upper lobes exhibit more severe disease, while lower lobes decline faster.     

重视介入性肺减容术的研究

介入性肺减容术是在外科切除肺减容术和内镜下非外科切除肺减容术的基础上发展起来的。它是一项X线导引下的经导管治疗技术,在靶肺叶经支气管行博来霉素(或无水乙醇)碘油乳剂栓塞的同时并对其近端支气管用骨水泥封堵,可获得稳定的肺纤维化和肺减容,即所谓的功能性肺叶切除。虽然此项介入治疗技术目前仍处于动物实验阶段,但已经显露出其临床应用潜力和广阔的前景。     

Fetal lung volume: estimation at MR imaging-initial results

PURPOSE: To plot normal fetal lung volume (FLV) obtained with fast spin-echo magnetic resonance (MR) images against gestational age; to investigate the correlation between lung growth and fetal presentation, sex, and ultrasonographic (US) biometric measurements; and to investigate its potential application in fetuses with thoracoabdominal malformations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a prospective multicenter study, 336 fetuses suspected of having central nervous system disorders underwent fast spin-echo T2-weighted lung MR imaging. Data obtained at 21-38 weeks gestation in 215 fetuses without thoracoabdominal malformations and with normal US biometric findings were selected for an FLV normative curve. FLV measurements obtained at pathologic examination with an immersion method were compared with MR FLV measurements in 11 fetuses. MR FLV values in 16 fetuses with thoracoabdominal malformations were compared with the normative curve. RESULTS: Normal FLV increased with gestational age as a power curve; the spread of values increased with age. Interobserver correlation was excellent (R(2) = 0.96). FLV measurements at MR imaging were 0.90 times those at pathologic examination. A constant ratio (0.78) between FLV on the left and right sides was observed. No significant difference in FLV was observed between fetal presentations. Normal FLV was observed in all fetuses with cystic adenomatoid malformations and in four of six with oligohydramnios. Lowest FLV values were observed in fetuses with diaphragmatic hernia. CONCLUSION: In fetuses with normal lungs, FLV distribution against gestational age is easily assessed in utero with fast spin-echo T2-weighted MR imaging. These preliminary findings illustrate the potential for comparing FLV measurements in fetuses at risk of lung hypoplasia with normative values.     

Variability of 18F-FDG-positive lung lesion volume by thresholding

Objectives

To assess the variability of ¹⁸F-FDG-positive volume measurements in lung cancer patients, obtained with different fixed percentages of maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax) thresholds.

Methods

PET dynamic acquisition involving ten frames was performed within 60–110 min post-injection in eight patients. In each lesion (n?=?11), volume was automatically outlined in each frame with fixed 40–50–60–70 % of the SUVmax thresholds. Thus, ten volume values for each threshold (V_{40–50–60–70}) were available to calculate relative SD (SDr), and hence relative measurement error (MEr) and repeatability (R). Dependence on SUVmax variability was also assessed.

Results

Mean SDr (<SDr>; %) of volume estimates was found to strongly correlate with threshold value (T; %): <SDr>?= 1.626?×?exp(0.044?×?T) (r?=?0.999; P?<?0.01). MEr and R for V₄₀ were found to be (95 % CL) 18.9 % and 26.7 %. For all fixed thresholds, in successive frames of an arbitrary lesion, volume estimate inversely correlated with SUVmax (P?≤?0.02).

Conclusions

A formula allows estimation of the variability of ¹⁸F-FDG-positive volumes provided by any fixed percentage of SUVmax threshold, and hence by any thresholding method. It only necessitates conversion of the threshold value into the SUVmax percentage in order to aid quick estimation of volume variability magnitude in current clinical practice.

Key Points

? In oncology, PET is widely used to assess the metabolic active volume ? This paper investigates the variability of ¹⁸ F-FDG-positive volumes by thresholding ? A formula is available for estimating this variability for any thresholding method ? For 40 %-SUVmax threshold, measurement error and repeatability are (95 % CL) 18.9 %/26.7 %     

MR microimaging of the lung using volume projection encoding

Radial acquisition (RA) techniques have been extended to produce isotropic, three-dimensional images of lung in live laboratory animals at spatial resolution down to 0.013 mm³ with a signal-to-noise ratio of 30:1. The pulse sequence and reconstruction algorithm have been adapted to allow acquisition of image matrices of up to 256³ in less than 15 min. Scan-synchronous ventilation has been incorporated to limit breathing motion artifacts. The imaging sequence permits randomizing and/or discarding selected views to minimize the consequences of breathing motion. The signal in lung parenchyma was measured as a function of flip angle (α) for different repetition times and found to follow the predictions for which there is an optimum excitation (Ernst) angle. A single T₁, relaxation value of 780 ± 54 ms fits all data from six guinea pigs at 2.0 T. This T₁, value parameterizes the signal and allows for a priori optimization, such as calculation of the Ernst angle appropriate for lung imaging.