Simple Anatomical Calculations Possibly As Accurate As Three-Dimensional Lobar Quantification with SPECT-CT in Predicting Lung Function after Pulmonary Resection

• Published in: Respiration Vol. 98; no. 1; pp. 82 - 85
• Main Authors: Simon, Donald, Irusen, Elvis M., Warwick, James M., Doruyter, Alex, Koegelenberg, Coenraad F.N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel, Switzerland S. Karger AG 01.07.2019
• Subjects: Care and treatment; CT imaging; Lung diseases; Lungs; Methods; Novel Insights from Clinical Practice; Patient outcomes; Prognosis; Pulmonary function tests; SPECT imaging; Surgery; South Africa; Lung resection; Regional lung function; Predicted postoperative lung function
• ISSN: 0025-7931; 1423-0356; 1423-0356
• DOI: 10.1159/000497462

The estimation of predicted postoperative (PPO) lung function is important in lung resection candidates. We utilized simple anatomical calculations and single-photon emission computed tomography combined with computed tomography (SPECT-CT) to calculate PPO in 24 consecutive patients with impaired pulmonary function who underwent lung resection. PPO values calculated by anatomical calculations and three-dimensional lobar SPECT-CT quantification both correlated well with the postoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 s, with r = 0.825, p < 0.001 and r = 0.796, p < 0.001, respectively. Both techniques fared well at predicting postoperative lung function, but our observations unexpectedly suggested that simple anatomical calculations might be equivalent to three-dimensional SPECT-CT lobar quantification.