Radiologic evaluation using computed tomography for compensatory lung growth; a prospective comparison with histological data from a large animal model

Background: Non-invasive analysis using computed tomography (CT) data may be a promising candidate to evaluate neo-alveolarization in adult lungs following lung resection. This study evaluates and compares the validity of CT analysis with histologic morphometry for compensatory lung growth in a large animal model. Methods: We calculated the radiologic tissue volume and the radiologic lung weight from CT data taken at 1, 3, and 6 months post-surgery on 15 male beagle dogs that had a right thoractotomy, bilobectomy, or pneumonectomy (n = 5 in each group). Results were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and were subsequently compared to histologic findings of tissue samples at 6 months post-surgery using Pearson’s correlation. Results: An increase in radiologic tissue volume and radiologic lung weight was identified, which was positively correlated with histologic lung parenchymal amounts (correlation coefficient = 0.955 and 0.934, respectively, p  < 0.001). Histology of lung specimens at six months post-surgery revealed an increase in the tissue amount in both Bilobectomy and Peumonectomy groups, which was consistent with compensatory lung growth. Conclusion: Radiologic tissue volume and radiologic lung weight reflected compensatory lung growth following lung resection. Radiologic assessment using CT data can be a promising clinical modality to evaluate postoperative lung growth.