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AIRWAY IDENTIFICATION WITHIN PLANAR GAMMA CAMERA IMAGES USING COMPUTER MODELS OF LUNG MORPHOLOGY
Citation:
Schroeter, J. D., J. N. PRITCHARD, D. HWANG, AND T B. Martonen. AIRWAY IDENTIFICATION WITHIN PLANAR GAMMA CAMERA IMAGES USING COMPUTER MODELS OF LUNG MORPHOLOGY. PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH. Springer, New York, NY, 22(10):1692-9, (2005).
Impact/Purpose:
to assist in the interpretation of images from planar scans using a computer modeling technique of the three-dimensional (3-D) branching structure of human lung airways
Description:
The quantification of inhaled aerosols could be improved if a more comprehensive assessment of their spatial distribution patterns among lung airways were obtained. A common technique for quantifying particle deposition in human lungs is with planar gamma scintigraphy. However, the interpretation of the resulting images can be quite subjective due to overlaying of small, peripheral airways with large, conducting airways. Herein, a computer modeling technique of the three-dimensional (3-D) branching structure of human lung airways was applied to assist in the interpretation of images from planar scans. The dimensions of individual airways were derived from morphometric data and the lung boundaries were formulated from scintigraphy protocols. To interpret planar scans, the outlined central, intermediate, and peripheral regions were superimposed on a planar view of the 3-D simulations, and airways were then tabulated by type, number, surface area and volume in each respective region. These findings indicate that the central region, for example, commonly assumed to be composed of large, conducting airways, actually consists mostly of alveolated airways. Specifically, it was found that alveolated airways comprise over 99% of the total number of airways, over 95% of the total airway surface area, and approximately 80% of the total airway volume in the central region. The computer simulations are designed to serve as templates, so that when overlaid on scintigraphy images, will assist in the interpretation of human data.