Emphysema in asymptomatic smokers: Quantitative CT evaluation in correlation with pulmonary function tests

• Published in: Diagnostic and interventional imaging Vol. 94; no. 6; pp. 609 - 617
• Main Authors: Yasunaga, K, Chérot-Kornobis, N, Edmé, J.-L, Sobaszek, A, Boulenguez, C, Duhamel, A, Faivre, J.-B, Remy, J, Remy-Jardin, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: France Elsevier Masson SAS 01.06.2013
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Cohort Studies; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography - methods; Emphysema; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Image Enhancement - methods; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted - methods; Lung; Lung Volume Measurements; Male; Middle Aged; Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity - physiology; Pulmonary Emphysema - diagnostic imaging; Pulmonary Emphysema - physiopathology; Pulmonary function tests; Radiology; Sensitivity and Specificity; Smokers; Smoking - adverse effects; Smoking Cessation; Statistics as Topic; Total lung capacity; Smokers; Forced expiratory volume in one second; TLCO; RV; MMEF; Lung; Forced vital capacity; Maximal expiratory flow at 75%, 50% and 25% of FVC; Pulmonary function tests; Vital capacity; TLC; Functional residual capacity; Maximal mid expiratory flow; VC; MEF 75,50,25; CT; FVC; Residual volume; FRC; Carbon monoxide diffusing capacity; FEV1; Emphysema
• ISSN: 2211-5684; 2211-5684
• DOI: 10.1016/j.diii.2013.02.013

Abstract Purpose To provide quantitative information on emphysema in asymptomatic smokers in correlation with pulmonary function tests (PFT). Patients and methods The study population included 75 smokers (current smokers: n = 39; ex-smokers: n = 36) and 25 nonsmokers who underwent volumetric high-resolution CT of the chest with automated quantification of emphysema and PFTs. Results Current smokers had a higher percentage of emphysema in the right lung ( P = 0.041) and right upper lobe ( P = 0.037). The overall percentage of emphysema did not differ according to the Gold stage ( P = 0.77). Smokers with emphysema had significantly higher mean values of FRC ( P = 0.012), RV ( < 0.0001) and TLC ( P = 0.0157) than smokers without emphysema but no significant differences were found in neither the mean values of TLCO nor in expiratory flows ( P > 0.05). Correlations were found between the percentage of emphysema and (a) cigarette consumption of current ( r = 0.34215; P = 0.0330) and ex-smokers ( r = 0.44104; P = 0.0071); and (b) alterations of TLC, FRC, RV and DLCO of smokers. Conclusion Quantitative CT allows recognition of regional specificities and subclinical functional alterations in smokers with emphysema.