Academic radiology
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Pulmonary vascular alteration is one of the characteristic features of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Recent studies suggest that vascular alteration is closely related to endothelial dysfunction and may be further influenced by emphysema. However, the relationship between morphological alteration of small pulmonary vessels and the extent of emphysema has not been assessed in vivo. The objectives of this study are: to evaluate the correlation of total cross-sectional area (CSA) of small pulmonary vessels with the extent of emphysema and airflow obstruction using CT scans and to assess the difference of total CSA between COPD phenotypes. ⋯ Total CSA of small pulmonary vessels at sub-subsegmental levels strongly correlates with the extent of emphysema (%LAA-950) and reflects differences between COPD phenotypes.
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To define high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) features of lung cancers detected by computed tomography (CT) screening according to histopathology and prognosis. ⋯ The CT features reflected tumor aggressiveness. Non-SCLC lesions of >-150HU and >10 mm (or >-100HU and >10 mm for the solid portion of the tumor) are associated with unfavorable prognosis. Timely interventions should be undertaken before problematic increase in number of cases.