A lung area estimation method for analysis of ventilation inhomogeneity based on electrical impedance tomography.

Purpose: To evaluate a novel method for lung area estimation (LAE method) in electrical impedance tomography (EIT) images as a prerequisite of quantitative analysis of ventilation inhomogeneity. Methods: The LAE method mirrors the lung regions in the functional EIT (fEIT) image and subsequently subtracts the cardiac related areas. In this preliminary study, 51 mechanically ventilated patients were investigated, including 39 patients scheduled for thoracic surgery (test group); 10 patients scheduled for orthopedic surgery without pulmonary disease (control group) and 2 ICU patients undergoing chest computed tomography (CT) examination. EIT data was recorded in all groups. The results of the LAE method were compared to those obtained with the fEIT method and to CT images. Results: The lung area size determined with fEIT in control group is SC,fEIT = 361 ± 35 (mean ± SD) and in test group ST,fEIT = 299 ± 61 ( p< 0.01). The sizes estimated with the LAE method in control group SC,LAE = 353 ± 27 and in test group ST,LAE = 353 ± 61 (p = 0.41). The result demonstrates that the novel LAE method improves the identification of lung region in EIT images, from which the analysis of ventilation distribution will benefit. The preliminary comparison with CT images exemplarily indicates a closer match of the lung area shapes after the LAE than after the fEIT-based analysis. Conclusion: The LAE method is a robust lung area determination method, suitable for patients with healthy or seriously injured lungs.