Aspects of pulmonary parenchyma and variants in high-resolution tomodensitometry concerning 30 cases

Thirty volunteers were examined with high-resolution tomodensitometry to determine the normal aspects and the variants of pulmonary parenchyma. High-resolution tomodensitometry provides thru GOUGH sections of pulmonary parenchyma. These are essentially pulmonary vessels which normally define pulmonary parenchyma (mainly lobular arteries and perilobular veins). The authors define the regions of pulmonary parenchyma observed and describe the possible artifacts at the level of pulmonary parenchyma that can lead to errors in diagnosis. Finally, the authors point out the importance of the gravito-dependence and its repercussions on the semiology of pulmonary parenchyma. The definition of normal parenchyma in high resolution tomodensitometry is essential in order to deal with the pathologic abnormalities of pulmonary parenchyma