Eur Respir J 1991; 4:141-146 Copyright ©ERS Journals Ltd 1991
Lung CT density correlates with measurements of airflow limitation and the diffusing capacity
GA Gould,
AT Redpath,
M Ryan,
PM Warren,
JJ Best,
DC Flenley,
and
W MacNee
We studied 80 subjects (63 M, 17 F; 23-82 yrs) and related lung computerized tomography (CT) density with age, height, spirometry, lung volumes, diffusing capacity and arterial blood gas tensions. These subjects demonstrated a wide range of physiological impairment (forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) 8-116% predicted; diffusing capacity (Kco) 15-139% predicted; arterial oxygen tension (Pao2) 38-91 mmHg). They ranged from normal subjects to patients with chronic respiratory failure. Lung density was derived from CT density histograms measured as both mean Emergency Medical Information (EMI) number (EMI scale: 0 = water, -500 = air, EMI number of normal lung tissue range approximately -200 to -450) and the lowest 5th percentile EMI number, the latter value being more likely to represent the density of lung parenchyma. Lung CT density correlated most strongly with airflow obstruction (EMI 5th percentile versus FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) % predicted, r = 0.73, p less than 0.001) and diffusing capacity (EMI 5th percentile versus Kco, r = 0.77, p less than 0.001). This suggests that reduction in lung density, which reflects loss of the surface area of the distal airspaces, is a major index of respiratory function in patients with smoking related chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These data provide no indication of other factors such as small and large airways disease, and loss of elastic recoil, which may contribute to airflow limitation, or disruption of the pulmonary vascular bed which may also affect CT lung density.
This article has been cited by other articles:

|
 |

|
 |
 
E. J. Chae, J. B. Seo, J.-W. Song, N. Kim, B.-W. Park, Y. K. Lee, Y.-M. Oh, S. D. Lee, and S. Y. Lim
Slope of Emphysema Index: An Objective Descriptor of Regional Heterogeneity of Emphysema and an Independent Determinant of Pulmonary Function
Am. J. Roentgenol.,
March 1, 2010;
194(3):
W248 - W255.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
T. B. Grydeland, A. Dirksen, H. O. Coxson, T. M. L. Eagan, E. Thorsen, S. G. Pillai, S. Sharma, G. E. Eide, A. Gulsvik, and P. S. Bakke
Quantitative Computed Tomography Measures of Emphysema and Airway Wall Thickness Are Related to Respiratory Symptoms
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.,
February 15, 2010;
181(4):
353 - 359.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
G. Mair, J. J. Miller, D. McAllister, J. Maclay, M. Connell, J. T. Murchison, and W. MacNee
Computed tomographic emphysema distribution: relationship to clinical features in a cohort of smokers
Eur. Respir. J.,
March 1, 2009;
33(3):
536 - 542.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
G. E. Silva, S. Guerra, S. Keim, R. A. Barbee, and D. L. Sherrill
Longitudinal Decline of Diffusing Capacity of the Lung for Carbon Monoxide in Community Subjects With the PiMZ {alpha}1-Antitrypsin Phenotype
Chest,
May 1, 2008;
133(5):
1095 - 1100.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
M. Cazzola, W. MacNee, F. J. Martinez, K. F. Rabe, L. G. Franciosi, P. J. Barnes, V. Brusasco, P. S. Burge, P. M. A. Calverley, B. R. Celli, et al.
Outcomes for COPD pharmacological trials: from lung function to biomarkers
Eur. Respir. J.,
February 1, 2008;
31(2):
416 - 469.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
H. Makita, Y. Nasuhara, K. Nagai, Y. Ito, M. Hasegawa, T. Betsuyaku, Y. Onodera, N. Hizawa, M. Nishimura, and the Hokkaido COPD Cohort Study Group
Characterisation of phenotypes based on severity of emphysema in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Thorax,
November 1, 2007;
62(11):
932 - 937.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
Z. A. Aziz, A. U. Wells, S. R. Desai, S. M. Ellis, A. E. Walker, S. MacDonald, and D. M. Hansell
Functional Impairment in Emphysema: Contribution of Airway Abnormalities and Distribution of Parenchymal Disease
Am. J. Roentgenol.,
December 1, 2005;
185(6):
1509 - 1515.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
N. MacIntyre, R. O. Crapo, G. Viegi, D. C. Johnson, C. P. M. van der Grinten, V. Brusasco, F. Burgos, R. Casaburi, A. Coates, P. Enright, et al.
Standardisation of the single-breath determination of carbon monoxide uptake in the lung
Eur. Respir. J.,
October 1, 2005;
26(4):
720 - 735.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
S B Shaker, T Stavngaard, J Stolk, B Stoel, and A Dirksen
{alpha}1-Antitrypsin deficiency {middle dot} 7: Computed tomographic imaging in {alpha}1-antitrypsin deficiency
Thorax,
November 1, 2004;
59(11):
986 - 991.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
M. M. Marc, P. Korosec, M. Kosnik, I. Kern, M. Flezar, S. Suskovic, and J. Sorli
Complement Factors C3a, C4a, and C5a in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Asthma
Am. J. Respir. Cell Mol. Biol.,
August 1, 2004;
31(2):
216 - 219.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society Statement: Standards for the Diagnosis and Management of Individuals with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.,
October 1, 2003;
168(7):
818 - 900.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
J. Reid and D. Cockcroft
Severe Centrilobular Emphysema in a Patient Without Airflow Obstruction
Chest,
January 1, 2002;
121(1):
307 - 308.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
F Mitsunobu, T Mifune, K Ashida, Y Hosaki, H Tsugeno, M Okamoto, S Harada, S Takata, and Y Tanizaki
Influence of age and disease severity on high resolution CT lung densitometry in asthma
Thorax,
November 1, 2001;
56(11):
851 - 856.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
S. C. McCLOSKEY, B. D. PATEL, S. J. HINCHLIFFE, E. D. REID, N. J. WAREHAM, and D. A. LOMAS
Siblings of Patients With Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Have a Significant Risk of Airflow Obstruction
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.,
October 15, 2001;
164(8):
1419 - 1424.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
L.J. Dowson, P.J. Guest, S.L. Hill, R.L. Holder, and R.A. Stockley
High-resolution computed tomography scanning in {alpha}1-antitrypsin deficiency: relationship to lung function and health status
Eur. Respir. J.,
June 1, 2001;
17(6):
1097 - 1104.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
J.M.B. Hughes and N.B. Pride
In defence of the carbon monoxide transfer coefficient KCO (TL/VA)
Eur. Respir. J.,
February 1, 2001;
17(2):
168 - 174.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
G. T. Ferguson, P. L. Enright, A. S. Buist, and M. W. Higgins
Office Spirometry for Lung Health Assessment in Adults: A Consensus Statement From the National Lung Health Education Program
Chest,
April 1, 2000;
117(4):
1146 - 1161.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
D. L. SHERRILL, P. L. ENRIGHT, W. T. KALTENBORN, and M. D. LEBOWITZ
Predictors of Longitudinal Change in Diffusing Capacity over 8 Years
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.,
December 1, 1999;
160(6):
1883 - 1887.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
|
 |
|
Copyright © 1991 by the European Respiratory Society.
|
|