Quantitative analysis for computed tomography findings of various diffuse lung diseases using volume histogram analysis

: The aim of this study was to achieve the quantitative analysis of the characteristic computed tomography (CT) findings and course of interstitial pneumonia using the volume histogram method. : Contrast (CNT), variance (VAR), and entropy (EPY) values from whole-lung volume data were compared between normal lungs and 5 diseases that have characteristic CT findings. Thirteen cases with nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) were evaluated before and after treatment. : In cases with thickening of the bronchovascular bundles and interlobular thickening, ground-glass attenuation, airspace consolidation, and honeycombing, the values of VAR and EPY were greater than those in the normal cases (P < 0.05). In the cases with NSIP, the CNT value after treatment was significantly greater and the values of VAR and EPY after treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment (P < 0.05). : Volume histogram analysis is a promising method for the evaluation of diffuse lung diseases and the effectiveness of treatment.