Background

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] is a very common disease in developing as well as developed countries. This is due to several factors: among them, the different smoking habits, air pollution, and occupational exposure. However, it is a heterogeneous disease, and pulmonary function tests alone could not explain the disease heterogeneity [1].

The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) includes two phenotypically related diseases: emphysema and chronic bronchitis [2]. The main pathological changes in COPD patients include inflammation and deficient gas exchange. Emphysema is considered parenchymal-predominant pathology, which is characterized by abnormal over-distension of the alveoli and irreversible destruction of the supporting structures. These changes lead to almost permanent damage to gaseous exchange [3]. Chronic bronchitis is an airway-predominant disease [4]. The emphysematous phenotype is mainly associated with severe form of the disease [5]. It is important to define whether the pathological changes are airway-predominant or parenchymal-predominant pathology. This will affect the management plane by applying specific therapies to prevent airway remodeling or parenchymal destruction [6].

Pulmonary function tests can be used to assess the severity of COPD. COPD cases with FEV1/FVC less than 70% revealed respiratory dysfunction [7]. However, PFTs have several limitations including inability of some patients to do such tests due to their poor clinical condition, weakness, or associated disorders affects tests results [8, 9].

The marked disease heterogeneity hinders the clinical classification, where the available clinical staging systems could not allow enough information for prognosis and adequate follow-up. Thus, using CT has a growing interest to give a phenotypic classification helping the clinical characterization of COPD patients [1].

Han et al. suggested that CT could discriminate between patients with the same results of spirometry [10]. CT is widely used, not only for the assessment of anatomical and structural elements of the chest but also for the assessment of functional parameters including lung density and volume. Especially, with the recent MDCT technology, faster volumetric data can be easily obtained and used for volume evaluation [11]. Until now, the volumetric CT emphysema quantification is not part of the routine CT study of the chest in COPD patients. The visual evaluation methods are highly subjective depending on the radiologist and his level of experience [1].

CT quantification evaluates the emphysema severity and provides a simple way to classify COPD subjects to subgroups characterized by predominant emphysema, mixed emphysema and air trapping, and predominant air trapping [12].

Furthermore, it provides local information essentially needed for planning of surgical interventional or systemic treatment for COPD patients [13]. It has been reported that CT quantification of emphysema may predict COPD severity [14]. CT provides densitometric measurements that are highly reproducible and have been correlated with macroscopic measurements of emphysema [15, 16].

The emphysema extent is generally assessed by using parameters of CT densitometry such as the relative lung area with attenuation coefficients below a predefined threshold. Another method is percentile of the frequency-attenuation distribution using the nth cut-off percentile in the attenuation distribution curve, which provides the density value in Hounsfield units [HU] under which n% of the voxels is distributed [17, 18]. Quantitative emphysema evaluation will be a main feature for serial follow-up of COPD patients [19].

The aim of this study was to determine whether there was a significant correlation between quantitative CT lung analysis and pulmonary function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.

Methods

Patient population

This prospective study was conducted at radio-diagnosis and chest departments of university hospital during the period between March 2016 and April 2017 and included 50 male patients with considered clinical diagnosis of COPD. All patients were over the age of 40 with 2 or more of the following: dyspnea, chronic cough, chronic sputum production, recurrent lower respiratory tract infection, history of risk factors, e.g., Tobacco smoke, occupational dusts, and chemicals, and family history of COPD. Prior to the investigation, all patients gave a written consent after full explanation of the procedure. After excluding bronchial asthma, bronchiectasis, interstitial pulmonary fibrosis patients were subjected to the following tests.

Pulmonary function tests [PFTs]

FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC ratio were done using Master screen spirometry. Pulmonary function tests expressed as percentages of the predicted values based on age, sex, height, and weight. They were completed within 1 week before or after MDCT scanning. COPD subjects were staged according to GOLD guidelines [20]. In patients with FEV1/FVC < 0.70:

  • GOLD 1: Mild FEV1 ≥ 80% predicted

  • GOLD 2: Moderate 50% ≤ FEV1 < 80% predicted

  • GOLD 3: Severe 30% ≤ FEV1 < 50% predicted

  • GOLD 4: Very severe FEV1 < 30% predicted

Computed tomography

High-resolution MDCT acquisition parameters

HRCT techniques were done using Toshiba MSCT 16 channels. No I.V contrast was given. Scans were obtained during full inspiration in supine position, with the following parameters: 120–140 kv, 120–160 mAs, 5 mm collimation, and a pitch of 1.5/1 with a standard reconstruction algorithm. Scan volumes were extended craniocaudally from the thoracic inlet to the level of the diaphragm and were acquired in one breath-hold period.

Quantitative lung analysis

Special lung analysis CT algorithm was used for quantitative assessment by using machine-based lung analysis software. Acquired images were sent to Vitrea workstation, VITAL IMAGES, MN, USA, in Toshiba office; Heliopolis, Cairo, using Lung Density Software ;Version 6.7 to be processed, manipulated, and reconstructed. Selecting lung density analysis preset, the lungs were automatically segmented from chest wall, mediastinum, airways, and vessels. The software automatically analyzed the density distribution of the lungs. Attenuation in the lung was expressed in Hounsfield units (HU). The 15th percentile density (PD15), i.e., the HU value below which 15% of the lung attenuation values, were distributed. The density mask technique was applied by using threshold cut-off value of – 950 HU. This level was chosen because it correlated best to the emphysematous changes in the lungs by Wang et al. [21]. The percentage of the lung volume with attenuation below the cut-off value – 950 HU (RA-950) were calculated for the entire lungs (right, left, and both lungs), as well as separately for the upper (right, left, and both) and lower lobes (right, left, and both) of the lungs as well as PD15 for the entire lungs using the volumetric scan. Data were expressed in the form of tables and histograms [Figs. 1 and 2].

Fig. 1
figure 1

Male patient 65 years old, chronic heavy smoker. Pulmonary function tests showed very severe obstructive pulmonary disease. a–d HRCT (axial, sagittal, and coronal images) revealed hyperinflated chest, mild bilateral diffuse emphysematous changes predominately the right upper lobe. e–g Images after applying density mask revealed emphysematous areas as black areas while normal lung density as gray. More pronounced bilateral diffuse emphysematous changes, more evident at the right upper lobe (Right upper lobe low density index 48.4%) and to a lesser degree, left upper lobe (left upper lobe low density index 33.1%). h, i Lung density histogram showing distribution of voxel density with respect to the whole lung volume: x-axis represents density range expressed in HU, whereas y-axis scales the relative number of voxels as a percentage of total lung volume. Evaluation of the histogram allowed quantification mean lung density (MLD), 15% percentile value (P15), and relative volume of parenchyma with density lower than – 950 HU. LAV, low attenuation volume. PD15% for right lung is 59, left lung 74, and both lungs 66. N.B: both upper lobes more emphysematous than both lower lobes as regarding the low-density index that of both upper lobes was 41.2%while that of both lower lobes was 25.7%

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Fig. 2
figure 2

Male patient, 45 years old, chronic heavy smoker. a–c HRCT images with subtle bilateral diffuse emphysematous changes. d–f After applying density mask, image segmentation. g Lung density histogram. Although pulmonary function tests were normal, there were bilateral emphysematous changes with both lower lobes more emphysematous than both upper lobes as regarding the low-density index that of both lower lobes was 18.2%while that of both upper lobes was 15.7%, and the left lung is more emphysematous than the right lung. Findings revealed more pronounced bilateral diffuse emphysematous changes, more pronounced at the left lower lobe (left lower lobe low-density index 19.9%), and to a lesser degree left upper lobe(left upper lobe low-density index 18.5%)

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Statistical analysis

Statistical analysis was done. The results presented as mean ± SD for patient characteristics, quantitative CT parameters, and pulmonary function parameters. Pearson’s correlation was done between data of pulmonary function tests and quantitative CT parameters. A value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Multiple comparisons (post hoc test) were done between groups following ANOVA test in order to determine which groups differ from each other. The mean difference was significant at the 0.05 level.

Results

Demographic and clinical characteristics

Fifty males presenting with chronic obstructive lung disease were included in the study. Their ages ranged from 45 to 79 years with a mean age of 62.82 years ± 8.65 years. All patients in this study had positive smoking history.

Pulmonary function tests

Pulmonary function tests revealed that 2(4%) had normal pulmonary function, and obstructive defects were found to be mild 4(8%), moderate 16(32%), severe 13 (26%), and very severe 15(30%).

Correlation of quantitative CT parameters of emphysema with pulmonary function tests

Pearson’s correlation test revealed that there was highly significant negative correlation between FEV1/FVC ratio and all right, left, and both upper and lower lung density parameters (p < 0.01 and r ≥ 0.4). Also, there was significant negative correlation between FEV1 and all right, left, and both lungs as well as right lower density parameters (p < 0.05 and r < 0.4) except for that of right, left and both upper, left and both lower lung density index being highly significant negative correlation (p < 0.01 and r ≥ 0.4). While FVC was not significantly correlated with all right, left, and both upper and lower lung density parameters except for that of right, left, and both upper lung density index being significant negative correlation (p < 0.05 and r < 0.4) (Table 1).

Table 1 Correlation between the pulmonary function tests and extent of emphysema (%LA) below − 950 HU
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On the other hand, there was highly significant positive correlation between pulmonary function tests (FEV1, FEV1/FVC ratio) and right, left, and both lungs PD15% (p < 0.01 and r ≥ 0.4) while FVC showed significant positive correlation with left lung PD15% only (p < 0.05 and r < 0.4).

Difference between groups

For multiple statistical comparisons between different study groups using post hoc test (

Table 2 Statistical comparison between different groups regarding significant lung parameters of multi-detector CT by ANOVA test
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Table 2). The mean difference was significant at the 0.05 level. Table 2 revealed statistical significant difference between very severe grade and other grades of emphysema regarding (Rt.U.LDI.percent, RT. PD15.percent, Lt.LLDI.percent, Lt.U.LDI.percent, and bothU.LDIpercent).

Discussion

COPD is a common heterogenous disease in which spirometric results are not sufficient to explain these heterogeneities. Han et al. [10] reported that CT could be a valuable modality to differentiate between patients of COPD especially those with the same spirometric results. Temizoz et al. [11] found that MDCT and measurement of CT pixel attenuation values were good methods for quantifying emphysema. Bakker et al. [22] also reported the importance of quantitative CT measurement in assessment of degree and distribution of emphysema.

Muller et al. were the first to describe and verify pathologically the density mask technique, in which CT pixels with attenuation below a certain threshold value [initially – 910 HU] were identified as emphysema [23]. Madani et al. [24] revealed that the most appropriate HU to be used in the density mask method is − 960 or – 970 HU.

The threshold value – 950 HU showed the best correlation to demonstrate degree of emphysema [25]. Gevenois et al. reported that the strongest pathologic correlation with emphysema at macroscopic and microscopic level had been established at a threshold of [− 950 HU] in a 1-mm non-contrast enhanced high-resolution CT images [26]. According to the study done by Wang et al., the threshold of − 950 HU is optimal for CT densitometry analysis of emphysema when the CT examinations are obtained at full inspiration [21]. In the current study, the density mask method was applied to the entire lung as well as to each individual lobe, and we used [− 950 HU] as % LAA for quantifying emphysema.

In the present study, the CT examination was done without the use of intravenous contrast material administration because non-enhanced volumetric CT study is a standard technique for COPD imaging as intravenous contrast material affects the attenuation values of the imaged organs [18]. In our study, all examinations were acquired in full inspiration. No expiratory CT examination was performed; it is consistent with Gevenois et al. who showed that expiratory quantitative CT is not as precise as inspiratory CT in measuring lung emphysema. Moreover, the patients having difficulty breathing can tolerate inspiratory CT more than expiratory CT [26].

Pulmonary function tests (PFT) parameters although, commonly used in assessment and classification of COPD cases, could not detect the heterogeneous changes of the disease process or the early abnormalities [12]. In the present study, two cases with normal PFT showed decreased mean lung density [MLD] which was correlated with their clinical signs.

In the present study, we found significant relationship between the pulmonary function tests (FEV1 and FEV1/FVC ratio), and all parameters of quantitative assessment with – 950 HU (%LAA) agreed with different studies [21, 24]. Highly significant negative correlation was detected between FEV1/FVC ratio, and all lung density parameters (p < 0.01 and r ≥ 0.4) also, between FEV1 and right, left, and both upper, left, and both lower lung density index (p < 0.01 and r ≥ 0.4). There was significant negative correlation between FEV1 and all lung density parameters (p < 0.05 and r < 0.4). While FVC was not significantly correlated with all lung density parameters except for that of right, left, and both upper lung density index being significant negative correlation (p < 0.05 and r < 0.4).

When studying the correlation between emphysema extent and pulmonary function, Saitoh et al. found a strong correlation when the upper lobes are predominantly affected, Matsuo et al. showed that a strong correlation between predominant lower lobes involvement and FVC, FEV1 [27, 28]. However, in the current study, we could not observe obvious difference in correlation coefficients between the upper lobes and the lower lobes. Nevertheless, we observed that the mean LAA% values of the right and left upper lungs were slightly higher than those of the right and left lower lung lobes.

The CT lung analysis adds extra information for diagnosis particularly in debatable circumstances [3]. The use of quantitative MDCT analysis provides more accurate estimates of the COPD severity and disease distribution [29]. An alternative method to quantification of emphysema, based on the frequency histogram of lung attenuation, estimates the CT attenuation at a given percentile along the histogram. The 15th percentile threshold is used to assess the variations of emphysema cases rather than changes in the lung volume [13, 30]. It was evident that the percentile method is more powerful for follow-up of emphysema [22].

In our study, we found that there was highly significant positive correlation between pulmonary function tests (FEV1, FEV1/FVC ratio) and right, left and both lungs PD15% (p < 0.01 and r ≥ 0.4) while FVC showed significant positive correlation with left lung PD15% only (p < 0.05 and r < 0.4).

The lung density analysis is superior to expiratory CT methods because it provides information about the whole lung. In addition, it appears that lung density analysis will allow for new horizons in providing information about lung parenchyma, lung density and density distribution, and additionally, the subthreshold values’ percentage in emphysematous patients. Yet, lung density analysis has its own limitations: one of them is that its effectiveness is based on co-operation of the patient. For example, incomplete inspiration results in minimal decrease in lung density and misinterpretation [3].

Conclusion

Automated CT densitometry defining the emphysema severity was significantly correlated with the parameters of pulmonary function tests and providing an alternative dependable quick, simple non-invasive study for evaluation of emphysema severity. Its main importance was the determination of the extent and distribution of affected emphysematous parts of the lungs especially for selecting the patients suitable for the lung volume reduction surgery.

We recommended that CT quantification of emphysema to be a part of the routine chest CT study in COPD patients.