Pathological evaluation of computed tomography images of lungs.

A method is described which allows the features seen in images generated during computed tomography (CT) of lungs previously removed at necropsy to be compared with those seen in corresponding thin sections made from the same lungs. After removal from the body, lungs were inflation-fixed using warm formalin vapour before being x-rayed and then scanned in the inflated state. Slices corresponding to the CT scan images were made and x-rayed. Paper mounted sections were then prepared from each slice. Using these methods pathological correlative studies can be used both to validate the interpretation of CT scans of lungs and to assess the sensitivity of this imaging technique.