ABSTRACT
I. Introduction 14
II. Image Acquisition 14
A. Imaging Principles 14
B. Slice Thickness 15
C. Radiation Dose 15
D. Rotation Time 15
E. Lung Volume at Acquisition 16
F. Field of View 16
G. Image Reconstruction 17
III. Image Visualization and Postprocessing 17
A. Window Settings 17
B. Cine Viewing 17
C. Multiplanar Reformations 18
D. Minimum Intensity Projection (mIP) 20
E. 3D Surface Rendering Technique with Shaded Display
(3D-SSD) 20
F. CT Bronchography 20
G. Virtual Bronchoscopy 21
IV. Image Analysis 22
A. Bronchi and Vessel Appearances 22
B. Quantitative CT Assessment of Airways 23
C. Lung Parenchyma 26
References 28
I. Introduction
There have been great advances in computed tomography (CT) scanner
technology over the past several years. New generation CT scanners, called
multislice or multidetector row CT (MDCT), permit multiplanar reformation and
3D reconstruction of the airways, and enhanced image analysis. This has made
possible accurate and reproducible quantitative assessment of the airways and
lung attenuation at a specific, spirometrically controlled lung volume during
CT acquisition, rendering functional CT imaging of the lung a reality. This
offers new perspectives for better insight in pathophysiology of obstructive
lung disease, particularly asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD), and to monitor the effects of current and future therapies.
