Regional Distribution of Pulmonary Blood Volume with Dual-Energy Computed Tomography: Results in 42 Subjects

Rationale and Objectives The noninvasive approach of lung perfusion generated from dual-energy computed tomography acquisitions has entered clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to analyze the regional distribution of iodine within distal portions of the pulmonary arterial bed on dual-source, dual-energy computed tomography examinations in a cohort of subjects without cardiopulmonary pathologies. Materials and Methods The study population included 42 patients without cardiorespiratory disease, enabling quantitative and qualitative analysis of pulmonary blood volume after administration of a 40% contrast agent. Qualitative analysis was based on visual assessment. Quantitative analysis was obtained after semiautomatic division of each lung into 18 areas. Results The iodine concentration did not significantly differ between the right (R) and left (L) lungs ( P  = .49), with a mean attenuation of 41.35 Hounsfield units (HU) and 41.14 HU, respectively. Three regional gradients of attenuation were observed between: (a) lung bases and apices ( P P P P P Conclusion Distribution of pulmonary blood volume is influenced by physiological gradients and scanning conditions.