[Conventional section study of thoracic organs. Improved diagnosis with compensation filters of anatomically molded acrylic glass containing lead]. / Konventionelle Schichtuntersuchung der Thoraxorgane. Verbesserte Diagnostik mit Ausgleichskörpern aus anatomisch geformtem, bleihaltigem Acrylglas.

ABSTRACT

The diagnostic value of conventional chest tomography was improved dramatically by filters, manufactured of transparent acrylic glass containing 120 or 240 mu lead aquivalent (DuPont, Neu Isenburg). A perfect compensation of the chest anatomy and pathology in ap-pulmonary tomography can be done easily because the anatomically shaped filters are mobile-mounted in front of the x-ray tube. The position of each filter is visible on the patient's skin. This enables the radiographer to routinely obtain tomograms with diagnostic density values ranging from S = 0.4-2.0. For 6 characteristic areas this was measured in 98%. Such films allow subtle analyses of the tracheal and bronchial wall, the segmental bronchi and pulmonary vessels or pathologic lesion. Compared to cross-sectional imaging CT and MRT, the frontal tomogram shows several aspects of the hilar compartment more clearly because the main central pulmonary structures are located primarily craniocaudally. The conventional tomogram therefore supplies additional views with high spatial resolution. The clinical importance of diagnostic information obtained with ap-tomography using the ATCF are shown in 4 cases. In our hospital, the thoracic surgeon therefore demands conventional tomography with the ATCF to complete staging of benign or malignant chest disease preoperatively.