Slope of Emphysema Index: An Objective Descriptor of Regional Heterogeneity of Emphysema and an Independent Determinant of Pulmonary Function
This study developed an automated computer algorithm to quantitatively assess regional heterogeneity of emphysema and compared it to visual assessment. The emphysema index slope was used to plot consecutive 1-pixel thick volumetric CT data slices from 59 patients with smoking-related emphysema. The results showed that quantitative and visual assessment correlated significantly and that regional heterogeneity of emphysema, in addition to emphysema index, contributed to pulmonary dysfunction. These results suggest that computerized quantitative assessment using emphysema index slope is comparable to visual assessment in assessing regional heterogeneity of emphysema.