Lung function imaging under quantitative spirometrically controlled CT.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the possibility of using spirometrically controlled computed tomography (CT) to test pulmonary ventilation function. METHODS: Spiral CT scans under the control of a spirometer were performed on 30 healthy adults. Spiral CT scan was performed at 50% vital capacity (VC) with an 8 mm slice thickness. Mean attenuation values and pixel index (PI) of lung regions were evaluated with semiautomatic evaluation software. RESULTS: There were significant differences in PI values between four pixel intervals. CONCLUSIONS: Spirometrically controlled spiral CT with semiautomatic evaluation software is an accurate and reproducible method of measuring lung density and PI, which has the possibility of indicating pulmonary ventilation function.