Evaluation of total lung volume and density using multi-detector computed tomography in normal dogs

This study was performed to quantitatively assess the normal lung volume and density according to the position by multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) in dogs. Helical CT of the thorax was performed on 4 different positions with dorsal, left lateral, right lateral and ventral recumbency in 6 Pekingese and 6 Maltese dogs. During CT scanning, dogs were kept hyperventilated. Through the 3-dimensional reconstruction of CT images, the lung parameters were measured as the volume and density of the left, right including accessory lobe, and total lung. 3D images represented the different lung shape between Pekingese and Maltese dogs. Their difference of total lung volume and total lung density was not significant on the each position in both breeds. Right lung volume was significantly higher than left. The difference of left and right volume was 66.91 ± 25.1 ml. Linear relationship was shown between body weight and lung volume of ventral recumbency position. The dependent lung had higher density and lower volume than nondependent lung in both breed dogs. The volume of nondependent lung was not changed compared with the volume on ventral or dorsal recumbency. The total lung volume measured with MDCT is correlated with the lung density, and the lung density is useful to predict the normal total lung volume.