Prediction of postoperative lung function in patients with lung cancer: preliminary correlative study among quantitative CT, perfusion scintigraphy and anatomical segmentation

Abstract

Objective To compare the accuracy of quantitative CT(QCT), perfusion scintigraphy and anatomical segmentation in predicting postoperative lung function in lung cancer patients. Methods Pulmonary functional tests, quantitative CT scan and perfusion seintigraphy in 12 cases before operation were performed. Forced vital capacity (FVC), the first second forced expiratory volume (FEV1.0) and diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide (DLco) were obtained from preoperative pulmonary functional tests. According to the corresponding formula for QCT, perfusion sintigraphy and anatomical segmentation method, the values of FVC, FEV1.0 and DLco were predicted. The correlation between the predicted values and postoperative values of FVC, FEV1.0 and DLco were assessed. The paired-t test,Pearson correlation test and Bland-Altman analysis were used for the statistics. Results The predicted values of QCT, perfusion sintigraphy and anatomical segmentation method were: FVC [(3.05±0.82), (2.98±0.75) and (2.98±0.86) L,respectively] , FEV1.0[(2.20±0.81), (2.17±0.78) and (2.16±0.84) L, respectively], DLco (FVC: r=0.87, 0.80 and 0.86; FEV1.0:r =0.93, 0.91 and 0.93; DLco:r =0.93, 0.95 and 0.93,respectively,P < 0.01). Conclusion QCT, perfusion sintigraphy and anatomical segmentation method can be used in predicting postoperative lung function. The predicted values are in concordance with the postoperative ones. Key words: Lung neoplasms; Tomography, X-ray computed; Radionuclide ; Respiratory