High resolution computed tomography of inflation-fixed lungs. Pathologic-radiologic correlation of centrilobular emphysema.
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.
Hruban
R H
RH
Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD 21205.
Meziane
M A
MA
Zerhouni
E A
EA
Khouri
N F
NF
Fishman
E K
EK
Wheeler
P S
PS
Dumler
J S
JS
Hutchins
G M
GM
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