Distribution of breath sound images in patients with pneumothoraces compared to healthy subjects. Diagnostic yield of vibration response imaging technology.
BACKGROUND
Vibration response imaging (VRI) is a new technology that provides a radiation-free dynamic lung image from the vibrations produced by airflow. The vibration energy from the respiratory cycle can be quantified for any lung region. This is obtained by integrating the energy profiles from 42 acoustic sensors placed on the patient's back.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a physician trained in interpreting acoustic images can accurately distinguish between normal and abnormal breath sound distribution in patients with pneumothoraces compared to healthy controls.


METHODS
In total, 14 patients with spontaneous or iatrogenic pneumothoraces and 15 healthy volunteers were enrolled in the study. VRI recordings and physical examination were obtained in all cases. Chest radiographs (CXRs) were reviewed in patients with pneumothoraces. Dynamic images recorded during one complete respiratory cycle were analyzed for each subject.


RESULTS
The VRI images of patients with pneumothoraces demonstrated a reduction in the vibration response on the affected side which correlated with the CXR. Sensitivity was 100%, specificity was 87% and positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 86 and 100%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates that VRI can be safely used to assess patients with pneumothoraces. Moreover, the analysis of breath sound distribution images obtained noninvasively can distinguish between patients with a normal chest examination from those with pneumothoraces.
Blanco
Montserrat
M
Thoracic Department, Vigo University Clinical Hospital, Vigo, Spain.
Mor
Ram
R
Fraticelli
Anne
A
Breen
David P
DP
Dutau
Hervé
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001314:Auscultation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012135:Respiratory Sounds; D013018:Sound Spectrography; D014732:Vibration