title: High resolution computed tomography of inflation-fixed lungs. Pathologic-radiologic correlation of centrilobular emphysema.
abstract: Centrilobular emphysema (CLE) is a disease defined pathologically. Assessment of the accuracy of high resolution computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of centrilobular emphysema has been hampered by a lack of pathologic correlation. We applied high resolution computed tomography to 20 postmortem lung specimens fixed by a method that allows for direct one-to-one pathologic-radiologic correlation. The degree of centrilobular emphysema was assessed radiologically on a visual grading system based on nonperipheral low-attenuation areas. The lungs were then sectioned along the plane of the CT image, and the degree of centrilobular emphysema was graded pathologically by scoring against a panel of standards. A significant correlation (r = 0.91, p less than 0.005) was found between the pathologic grade and the in vitro CT score.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD 21205.
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Hruban
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Meziane
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Zerhouni
authors.forename: N F
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Khouri
authors.forename: E K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Fishman
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Wheeler
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Dumler
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Hutchins
mesh_terms: D006652:Histological Techniques; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D011656:Pulmonary Emphysema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed