[Contribution of high-resolution volume computed tomography (HRVCT) for the exploration of diffuse pulmonary infiltrative disorders].
OBJECTIVE
To assess high-resolution volume computed tomography (HRVCT) for the investigation of diffuse pulmonary infiltrative disorders.


METHODS
Thirty patients with diffuse interstitial disease (idiopathic fibrosis n = 7, silicosis n = 4, asbestosis n = 5, sarcoidosis n = 7, histiocytosis n = 2, lymphangitis carcinomatosa n = 2, tuberculosis n = 1, bronchiolitis obliterans n = 1) were explored using high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and HRVCT. All diagnoses were proven by fiberscopy, bronchoalveolar lavage and respiratory function tests and/or lung biopsy. The HRVCT protocol consisted of spiral tomography using 10 mm slices. Data were processed with a Windows Advantage workstation (GE Milwaukee). Two readers compared multiprojection volume reconstruction (MPVR) using maximal intensity projection (MIP) and minimal intensity projection (MINIP) displays with millimetric HRCT slices acquired at the same volume.


RESULTS
Micronodules were detected better with HRVCT than with HRCT. MIP mode enabled better distinction between nodules and vessels. MINIP mode enabled better detection of cysts in the pulmonary parenchyma than HRCT. The honeycomb aspect of pulmonary fibrosis was differentiated better than super-infected central-lobar emphysema. MINIP mode enabled detection of ground glass opacities which were not visible on HRCT. Certain anomalies were however detected only on HRCT. HRVCT was very sensitive to movement effects which altered image quality, particularly in the MINIP mode.


CONCLUSIONS
HRVCT is a new and promising approach for investigating diffuse pulmonary infiltrative disorders.
Vernhet
H
H
Service d'Imagerie Thoracique et Cardiovasculaire, Hôpital Cardio-Pneumologique, Montpellier.
Bousquet
C
C
Vergnes
C
C
Thiebault
C
C
Lesnik
A
A
Durand
G
G
Giron
J
J
Senac
J P
JP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards