Visualization of variations in the pulmonary fissures on multi-planar recontruction images of 64-slice spiral CT / 中华放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the variations and distribution of the pulmonary fissures of normal subjects in China on multi-planar recontruction (MPR) images of 64- slice helical CT.Methods A total of 1235 subiects underwent 64- slice helical CT scan with a slice thickness of 0.6 mm.The MPR images were observed to find normal interlobar fissures and the variations including the accessory fissures occurred in lobar or segmental lungs.Results Of the all cases,no variation was seen in 80.08%(989/1235),and pulmonary fissure variations occurred in the remaining 19.92%(246/1235).Among pulmonary fissure variations,20.33% (50 cases) occurred bilaterally,with the other 79.67%(196 cases) unilaterally.Of the unilateral pulmonary fissure variations,63.01%(155 cases) was seen in right lungs,and 16.66% (41 cases)was found in left lungs.There was neither oblique nor horizontal fissure in 1.22%(3 cases) of right lungs.Absence of oblique fissure happened more frequently in left lungs (6.91%,17 cases) than right lungs(3.65%,9 cases).Incomplete oblique fissure happened more frequently in left lungs (8.53%,21 cases)than in right lungs(4.06%,10 cases).Totally,absence of the horizontal fissures were found in 27.24%(67 cases) of the subjects,and incomplete horizontal fissures were found in 9.76% (24 cases).Accessory fissure were found in 83.33%(205 cases) of the subjects,and they happened more frequently in right lungs than in left lungs(53.66%,132 cases on the right,while 29.67%,73 cases on the left).Accessory fissures on right lower lobe and segments happened much more than on the left(40.65%,100 cases on the right,while 7.72%.19 cases on the left).Lingular fissures in the lungs were found in 15.85%(39 cases).The changes in shape and location of the oblique and horizontal fissures were found in 41.06%(101 cases),and happened more frequently in right lungs than left lungs (35.37%,87 cases on the right,5.69%,14 cases on the left).Conclusions Sixty-four-slice helical CT with MPR can clearly display pulmonary fissures and their variations,and it can distinguished small lesions from small vessels.