• 대한방사선기술학회지:방사선기술과학
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• 제44권2호
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• pp.91-100
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• 2021

High-Resolution thoracic CT (HRCT) is a scanning protocol in which thin slice thickness and sharpness algorithm are utilized to enhance image resolution for diagnosis and assessment of interstitial lung disease (ILD). This examination is sometimes performed in both supine and prone position to improve sensitivity to early changes of these conditions. Anatomical structures (the size of lung field and heart and descending aorta) of 150 patients who underwent HRCT were retrospectively compared. HRCT had been conducted in two positions (supine and prone). Data were divided into five groups according to patient body weights (from 40 to more than 80kg, 10kg intervals, 60 patients/each group). Quantitative analysis was utilized in Image J program. In the supine position defined as the control group, the average values of lung fields and heart size and aorta were compared with the prone position defined as the experimental group. The size of the lungs was found to be higher in the supine position, and it was confirmed that there was a statistically significant difference in patients over 70 kg (p<0.05). In addition, both sizes of the heart and descending aorta were larger in prone position, but in the case of the heart, there was no correlation with the presence or absence of ILD disease (p>0.05). Also, the area of prone in the descending aorta was higher than supine position, but there was no statistically significant difference between supine and prone position (p>0.05). In conclusion, when the severity of ILD disease was severe, there was no statistically significant difference in the area difference between supine and prone position, so it is considered that it will be helpful in diagnostic decision.