PURPOSE: To assess serial CT as a measure of the progress of emphysema in patients with severe alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency (phenotype PiZ). MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a randomized placebo-controlled study of alpha 1-antitrypsin augmentation therapy, 22 patients with moderate emphysema were followed for 2-4 years with an annual lung CT. The images were analysed by means of semiautomatic lung detection, and the degree of emphysema was quantitated by the density-mask and the percentile methods. The influence of lung volume was standardised by a regression model. RESULTS: A highly significant decline in Hounsfield units (HU) was found in low-density areas, corresponding to a mean (SE) annual loss of lung tissue of 2.1 (0.4) g/l lung volume. Analysis of a single slice at 5 cm below the level of the carina gave comparable results: 2.4 (0.4) g/l. CONCLUSION: Serial CT is a sensitive measure of the progress of emphysema in patients with severe alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency.
RCT Entities:
PURPOSE: To assess serial CT as a measure of the progress of emphysema in patients with severe alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency (phenotype PiZ). MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a randomized placebo-controlled study of alpha 1-antitrypsin augmentation therapy, 22 patients with moderate emphysema were followed for 2-4 years with an annual lung CT. The images were analysed by means of semiautomatic lung detection, and the degree of emphysema was quantitated by the density-mask and the percentile methods. The influence of lung volume was standardised by a regression model. RESULTS: A highly significant decline in Hounsfield units (HU) was found in low-density areas, corresponding to a mean (SE) annual loss of lung tissue of 2.1 (0.4) g/l lung volume. Analysis of a single slice at 5 cm below the level of the carina gave comparable results: 2.4 (0.4) g/l. CONCLUSION: Serial CT is a sensitive measure of the progress of emphysema in patients with severe alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency.
Authors: Daniel Chong; Matthew S Brown; Hyun J Kim; Eva M van Rikxoort; Laura Guzman; Michael F McNitt-Gray; Maryam Khatonabadi; Maya Galperin-Aizenberg; Heidi Coy; Katherine Yang; Yongha Jung; Jonathan G Goldin Journal: Eur Radiol Date: 2011-10-20 Impact factor: 5.315
Authors: David S Gierada; Andrew J Bierhals; Cliff K Choong; Seth T Bartel; Jon H Ritter; Nitin A Das; Cheng Hong; Thomas K Pilgram; Kyongtae T Bae; Bruce R Whiting; Jason C Woods; James C Hogg; Barbara A Lutey; Richard J Battafarano; Joel D Cooper; Bryan F Meyers; G Alexander Patterson Journal: Acad Radiol Date: 2010-02 Impact factor: 3.173