ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To study the correlation between the lung pixel indexes of multi-slice spiral CT (MSCT) and pulmonary function test (PFT), and to explore the CT features of histograms of lung attenuation. METHODS: MSCT scan and pulmonary function test (PFT) were separately performed in 127 subjects within one week. The total lung was scanned with MSCT at full inspiration, full expiration, and normal respiration. The lung pixel indexes were measured by Pulmo pulmonary quantitative software. These indexes include PI(-910Huin), PI(-960HUEX), PI(-910Huin), PI(-960Huex), PI(-910(Hun), PI(-960Hun), PI(910Huex/in), and the histograms of lung attenuation. RESULTS: Correlation existed between all the lung pixel indexes of MSCT and PFT. PI(-910Huex/in showed the best correlation with FEV1/FVC (r = 0.901, P < 0.01). Three distribution patterns were found in the histograms of lung attenuation of total lung, including double-peak distribution (n = 28), similar normal distribution (n = 81), and partial distribution (n = 18). CONCLUSION: The lung pixel indexes of MSCT have significant correlation with PFT and can be used to assess the pulmonary function.
