Three-dimensional reconstruction of human diaphragm using spiral
computed tomography.
Pettiaux, Nicolas, Marie Cassart, Manuel Paiva, and Marc Estenne.
Biomedical Physics Laboratory, and the Departments of Radiology and
Chest Medicine, Erasme University Hospital, Universit[acute]e Libre
de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
APStracts 3:0504A, 1996.
We developed a technique of diaphragm imaging using spiral computed
tomography (CT) and we studied four normal subjects who had been
previously investigated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
(Gauthier et al. J. Appl. Physiol. 76:495-506, 1994). One acquisition
of 15-25 sec duration was performed at residual volume, functional
residual capacity, FRC + inspiratory capacity, and total lung
capacity with the subject holding his breath and relaxing. From these
acquisitions, _ 20 coronal and _ 30 sagittal images were
reconstructed at each lung volume; on each image diaphragm contour in
the zone of apposition and in the dome was digitized with the
software Osiris, and the digitized silhouettes were used for 3D
reconstruction with Matlab. Values of length and surface area for the
diaphragm, the dome, and the zone of apposition were very similar to
those obtained with MRI. We conclude that satisfactory 3D
reconstruction of the in vivo diaphragm may be obtained with spiral
CT and allows accurate measurements of muscle length, surface area,
and shape.
Received 18 July 1996; accepted in final form 29 October 1996.
APS Manuscript Number A674-6.
Article publication pending Journal of Applied Physiology.
ISSN 1080-4757 Copyright 1996 The American Physiological Society.
Published in APStracts on 13 November 1996