Correlation of semi-quantitative analyses and visual scores in pulmonary perfusion SPECT/CT imaging with pulmonary function test parameters in patients with interstitial lung diseases

To evaluate the correlation between semi-quantitative analyses and visual scores of pulmonary perfusion SPECT/CT imaging and pulmonary function test parameters (PFTs) in patients with interstitial lung diseases (ILDs). This retrospective study included 35 patients with ILDs from ** Hospital between January 2020 and December 2022. All patients underwent pulmonary perfusion SPECT/CT imaging and a pulmonary function test. Visual scores of pulmonary perfusion SPECT/CT images were determined using the Meyer method, and functional lung volumes of pulmonary perfusion were calculated using various cutoff values (5% to 95% of the maximum pixel value). PFTs included forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) and FEV1 as a percentage of the predicted value (FEV1%), forced vital capacity (FVC) and FVC as a percentage of the predicted value (FVC%), one-second rate (FEV1/FVC), pulmonary carbon monoxide dispersion (DLCO) and DLCO as a percentage of the predicted value (DLCO%). Pearson’s correlation was calculated to compare visual scores and lung perfusion functional volumes with PFT indices. Visual scores correlated with FEV1, FEV1%, FVC% and DLCO%, with a significant correlation observed for FEV1% (r=0.576, P 0.6, P