HIGH RESOLUTION COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY IN EVALUATION OF GROUND GLASS OPACITIES OF LUNG

Abstract

Ground-glass opacity (GGO) described on high-resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) of the lung is ―hazy increased attenuation of lung, with preservation of bronchial and vascular margins, caused by partial filling of air spaces, interstitial thickening, partial collapse of alveoli, normal expiration or increased capillary blood volume. HRCT help to differentiate clinical causes of GGO of lung.

The study was done using Siemens emotion 16 slice MDCT.

In my study of 60 patients, most common age group was 51-60 years having GGO with male predominance, Right upper lobe was most common location, and common etiological factor associated was infection.

HRCT is an effective diagnostic tool to characterize the abnormality and specify its location accurately. HRCT enables the evaluation of small interstitial changes, invisible on plain chest radiographs, and their assessment at the level of the lung lobule.