Histogram analysis of spirometrically standardized high-resolution CT in interstitial lung disease

This paper is an objective assessment of morphologic and functional pulmonary status by histogram analysis of the distribution of cumulated frequencies of CT attenuation values (CCTAs). Twenty-seven patients with fibrosing alveolitis, 27 patients with granulomatous interstitial lung disease (ILD), 3 patients with severs emphysema, and 6 healthy controls were studied with high-resolution CT. Three 1-mm CT sections of the lung were obtained at 50% of actual vital capacity determined and controlled spirometrically. The CCTAs were analyzed quantitatively and correlated with lung function data. Correlations (p < .001) were found between CCTAs of -975 to -800 HU with vital and diffusing capacity and with exercise PaO2