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Micro-CT of the Human Lung: Imaging of Alveoli and Virtual Endoscopy of an Alveolar Duct in a Normal Lung and in a Lung with Centrilobular Emphysema—Initial Observations¹

¹ From the Department of Pneumology, University of Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany (H.W.); Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Giessen, Germany (H.W., A.B., W.S.R.); and Coriell Institute for Medical Research, Camden, NJ (A.K.). Received June 30, 2004; revision requested September 3; revision received October 15; accepted November 4. Address correspondence to H.W. (e-mail: watz.henrik{at}web.de).

The appearance of human lung parenchyma at the structural level of alveoli was investigated by the use of micro–computed tomography (CT). Approval for use of autopsy lungs was given by the head of the pathology institute of the university, in accordance with the requirements of the State Ministry of Science and Arts and without the need for institutional review board approval. Two human lungs (one normal lung and one lung with centrilobular emphysema of a mild to moderate degree) were inflated and fixed with hot formalin vapor. Lung specimens excised from the superior segment of the left lower lobe (B6) were stained with silver nitrate in a vacuum and investigated at a volume of interest of 4 mm for each side with a voxel size of 14 µm. Normal-size and enlarged alveoli became visible. A three-dimensional reconstruction of the terminal airspaces made virtual endoscopy of the alveolar ducts possible.

© RSNA, 2005

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