Korean J Radiol.  2017 ;18(4):739-748. 10.3348/kjr.2017.18.4.739.

CT Quantification of Lungs and Airways in Normal Korean Subjects

• Kim SS
• Jin GY
• Li YZ
• Lee JE
• Shin HS

• KMID: 2427243
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/kjr.2017.18.4.739

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To measure and compare the quantitative parameters of the lungs and airways in Korean never-smokers and current or former smokers ("ever-smokers").
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Never-smokers (n = 119) and ever-smokers (n = 45) who had normal spirometry and visually normal chest computed tomography (CT) results were retrospectively enrolled in this study. For quantitative CT analyses, the low attenuation area (LAA) of LAA(I-950), LAA(E-856), CT attenuation value at the 15th percentile, mean lung attenuation (MLA), bronchial wall thickness of inner perimeter of a 10 mm diameter airway (Pi10), total lung capacity (TLC(CT)), and functional residual capacity (FRC(CT)) were calculated based on inspiratory and expiratory CT images. To compare the results between groups according to age, sex, and smoking history, independent t test, one way ANOVA, correlation test, and simple and multiple regression analyses were performed.
RESULTS
The values of attenuation parameters and volume on inspiratory and expiratory quantitative computed tomography (QCT) were significantly different between males and females (p < 0.001). The MLA and the 15th percentile value on inspiratory QCT were significantly lower in the ever-smoker group than in the never-smoker group (p < 0.05). On expiratory QCT, all lung attenuation parameters were significantly different according to the age range (p < 0.05). Pi10 in ever-smokers was significantly correlated with forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity (r = −0.455, p = 0.003). In simple and multivariate regression analyses, TLC(CT), FRC(CT), and age showed significant associations with lung attenuation (p < 0.05), and only TLC(CT) was significantly associated with inspiratory Pi10.
CONCLUSION
In Korean subjects with normal spirometry and visually normal chest CT, there may be significant differences in QCT parameters according to sex, age, and smoking history.

Keyword

Quantitative computed tomography; Lungs; Airways; Non-smokers; Smokers; Normal value; Pulmonary function test

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aged
Female
Forced Expiratory Volume/physiology
Humans
Lung/*diagnostic imaging
Male
Middle Aged
Respiratory Function Tests
Retrospective Studies
Smoking
*Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Relationship between inner perimeter (Pi) and square root of wall area (WA) on inspiratory quantitative CT.A. 46-year-female never-smoker. B. 53-year-old man who had 30 pack year history. Slope of straight relationship between Pi and square root of WA is calculated and values of square root of WA at designated Pi10 between never-smoker and heavy smoker are 3.75 and 4.34, respectively. Pi10 = Pi of 10 mm

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