Lung density standard deviations obtained using high-pitch dual-source computed tomography are valid predictors of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to validate standard deviations of lung densities obtained using high-pitch dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) densitometry as indices of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) severity in premature infants. METHODS: Data of preterm, late preterm group, and early term groups were evaluated. Mean and median standard deviations (SDmean, SDmedian) of CT lung density (CTLD) were calculated from CT images. RESULTS: SDmean of CTLD in infants with severe BPD was significantly higher than that of infants without BPD (198.1 vs. 140.9, respectively; P=.002). CONCLUSIONS: Study results support using high-pitch DSCT for BPD diagnosis and quantitative evaluation in prematurity.