The low attenuation area on dual-energy perfusion CT: correlation with the pulmonary function tests and quantitative CT measurements

Abstract

Purpose: To retrospectively investigate the distribution of the low attenuation area (LAA) on dual energy perfusion CT (DEpCT) in comparison with the results of pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and quantitative CT measurements.

Materials and methods: Twenty-eight patients (15 male and 13 female; mean age: 62.21 years) underwent DEpCT and PFTs within a 1-month interval. The ranges of the LAA on DEpCT were classified into six groups with attenuation values of 0-3, 0-5, 0-8, 0-10, 0-13 and 0-15 HU and the ratios of LAA in each group were compared with the percentage of forced expiratory volume in the 1st second (%FEV(1.0)), FEV(1.0)/forced vital capacity (FEV(1.0)/FVC) and the relative area of the lung with attenuation coefficients lower than -950 HU (RA(-950)).

Results: The LAAs on the DEpCT images were significantly correlated with the RA(-950), %FEV(1.0) and FEV(1.0)/FVC, and the regression analysis showed that the best values of LAA on DEpCT were 0-10 HU with RA(-950) (r=0.63), 0-8 HU with %FEV(1.0) (r=-0.52) and 0-8HU with FEV(1.0)/FVC (r=-0.61) per patient.

Conclusion: The iodine disturbance on DEpCT had a moderate correlation with the results of the PFTs and RA(-950), but further examination would be needed for evaluation of iodine distribution.