Quantitative computed tomography analysis of emphysema severity and distribution in chronic obstructive lung disease, correlation with clinical findings.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between different densitometric parameters on chest computed tomography (CT) and pulmonary function tests (PFT) of patients with emphysema-predominant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective evaluation was made of 56 patients with COPD. The lungs were segmented into nine sections. Normal and emphysematous parenchyma were measured using low attenuation area percentage (%LAA), percentile density (PD), and mean lung density (MLD) parameters. The effects of emphysema distribution on PFT were evaluated using %LAA, PD, MLD, kurtosis and skewness methods. RESULT: Fifty-six patients, all diagnosed with COPD, were evaluated. The %LAA-910 method showed significant correlation with forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) compared to other densitometric parameters (p= <0.001, r= -0.556). Other densitometric parameters differed between segments in terms of sensitivity for FEV1. It was determined that right lung mid-zone segment involvement affected FEV1 more than other segments when the %LAA -910 method was used (p= <0.001, r= -0.569). %LAA -950 had the largest area under the curve in ROC curve analysis and was determined to have 2.2% diagnostic property for predicting Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) AB-CD staging (sensitivity 81%, specificity 74%). CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative analysis is an objective method for determining the distribution and severity of emphysema. There was a significant correlation between densitometry and PFT values. Quantitative analysis may be considered suitable for use in evaluating the severity of emphysema and predicting the clinical findings of patients.

Relationship of mesenteric panniculitis with visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue

Background/aim: Mesenteric panniculitis (MP) is an idiopathic benign disease characterized by fat necrosis, chronic inflammation, and fibrosis. The relationship between obesity and chronic low-grade inflammation has been reported. This study investigated the relationship of MP diagnosed using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) with visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) areas. Materials and methods: We retrospectively enrolled 104 patients with no radiological findings other than MP. Additionally, 76 individuals without any indicative radiological findings were included as controls. VAT and SAT were separately calculated (cm2) using a 3-dimensional workstation. The abdominal circumference was measured (cm). Results: The mean abdominal circumference was 99.9 ± 7.9 cm, SAT was 195.3 ± 89.1 cm2, and VAT was 203.9 ± 72.8 cm2 in the MP group. The abdominal circumference, VAT, and SAT were significantly higher in the MP group than in the control group (P < 0.001). According to the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, cut-off level VAT and SAT were 167.5 cm2 (sensitivity 71%, specificity 69%) and 117.5 cm2 (sensitivity 78%, specificity 51 %), respectively. Conclusion: Increased VAT and SAT were associated with MP, suggesting their role in the etiology of MP.