[Three-dimensional CT images of the lung--preliminary study using inflated lung specimens].
Three-dimensional CT images of six inflated lung specimens (4 lung cancer, 1 bronchiectasis, 1 hamartoma) were reconstructed from contiguous serial sections to study some probable problems in the clinical application of the technique. Optimal thickness and space of sections were evaluated, and contiguous 1.5-mm serial sections were found to provide a clear 3-D image with high fidelity. It was difficult to set a proper threshold to create clear images because a wide CT window is inconsistent with low noise. The images of tubular and linear structures such as from bronchi and vessels demonstrated higher resolution when reconstructed from scanning in the more perpendicular cross-sectional direction to their axis. Although 3-D images obtained here were not as clear as expected, technological advances such as helical CT or MRI may provide 3-D images with sufficient resolution to be applied clinically.
Sekine
I
I
Internal Medicine Clinic, Shioya Hospital, Yaita City, Japan.
Takizawa
H
H
Otaki
M
M
Sinozaki
K
K
Uchiyama
T
T
Kiyatake
K
K
D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed