Contribution of high-resolution volume computed tomography (HRVCT) for theexploration of diffuse pulmonary infiltrative disorders

Aim: To assess high-resolution volume computed tomography (HRVCT) for the i nvestigation of diffuse pulmonary infiltrative disorders. Patients and methods: Thirty patients with diffuse interstitial disease (id iopathic fibrosis n=7, silicosis n=4, asbestosis n=5, sarcoidosis n=7, hist iocytosis n=2, lymphangitis carcinomatosa n=2, tuberculosis n=1, bronchioli tis obliterans n=1) were explored using high-resolution computed tomography , (HRCT) anld HRVCT. All diagnoses were proven by fiberscopy, bronchoal-veo lar lavage and respiratory function tests and/or lung, biopsy. The HRVCT pr otocol consisted of spiral tomography using 10mm slices. Data were processe d with a Windows Advantage workstation (GE Milwaukee). Two readers compared multiprojection volume reconstruction (MPVR) using maximal intensity proje ction (MIP) and minimal intensity projection (MINIP) displays with millimet ric HRCT slices acquired at rite same volume. Results: Micronodules were detected better with HRVCT than with HRCT. MIP m ode enabled better distinction between nodules and vessels. MINIP mode enab led better detection of cysts in the pulmonary parenchyma than HRCT. The ho neycomb aspect of pulmonary fibrosis was differentiated better than super-i nfected central-lobar emphysema. MINIP more enabled direction of ground gla ss opacities which were riot visible on HRCT. Certain anomalies were howeve r detected only on HRCT. HRVCT Lens very sensitive to movement effects whic h altered image quality, particularly in the MINIP mode. Conclusion: HRVCT is a new and promising approach for investigating diffuse pulmonary infiltrative disorders.