Investigation of airways using MDCT for visual and quantitative assessment in COPD patients

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Authors: Pierre-Yves Brillet, Catalin I Fetita, Amaury Saragaglia, Anne-Laure Brun, Catherine Beigelman-Aubry, et al

Published Date March 2008 , Volume 2008:3(1)

Pierre-Yves Brillet¹, Catalin I Fetita², Amaury Saragaglia², Anne-Laure Brun³, Catherine Beigelman-Aubry³, Françoise Prêteux², Philippe A Grenier³

¹Department of Radiology, Avicenne Hospital, Assistance Publique–Hôpitaux de Paris, Université Léonard de Vinci–Paris Nord, EA 2361, Bobigny, France; ²ARTEMIS Department, Institut National des Télécommunications, Université Paris V, Evry, France; ³Department of Radiology, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Assistance Publique–Hôpitaux de Paris, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France

Abstract: Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) acquisition during a single breath hold using thin collimation provides high resolution volumetric data set permitting multiplanar and three dimensional reconstruction of the proximal airways. In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, this technique provides an accurate assessment of bronchial wall thickening, tracheobronchial deformation, outpouchings reflecting dilatation of the submucous glands, tracheobronchomalacia, and expiratory air trapping. New software developed to segment adequately the lumen and walls of the airways on MDCT scans allows quantitative assessment of the airway dimensions which has shown to be reliable in clinical practice. This technique can become important in longitudinal studies of the pathogenesis of COPD, and in the assessment of therapeutic interventions.

Keywords: COPD – tracheobronchial tree, multidetector CT – airway remodeling, tracheobronchomalacia