Determination of normal lung volume using computed tomography in children and adolescents

Abstract

Aim: To determine the normal reference values for both lung inspiratory volumes in children and adolescents with routine computed tomography (CT) and compare relationships with gender and age. Material and Methods: This retrospective study evaluated 100 cases (53 males, 47 females) with normal chest CT (age range: 4-17 years). The cases were divided into three subgroups based on age as 4-7 years (preschool; n=31), 8-12 years (school-age; n=30) and 13-17 years (adolescent; n=39). Demographic data like sex and age were recorded. Right, left and total lung volumes were calculated with automatic volumetric software. Volume comparisons were made for lungs, gender and age groups. Statistical analysis used the Wilcoxon signed-ranks test, Mann-Whitney U test and Tamhane test. Results: For all cases the right lung volume was greater than the left lung (p<0.001). There was no significant difference identified for the total lung volumes between the genders (p=0.421). The right, left and total lung median volume values were identified as 379 cm3 , 310 cm3 and 689 cm3 in the preschool group, 840 cm 3.710 cm3 and 1550 cm3 in the school-age group and 1670 cm3 , 1391 cm3 and 3061 cm3 in the adolescent group, respectively. In the transitions from preschool to school-age and from school-age to adolescent periods, the right, left and total lung volumes significantly increased. Conclusion: Quantitative reference values for normal lung inspiratory volume were revealed for children and adolescents using CT. As age group increased, there were significant increases in lung volume. Gender did not have a significant effect on lung volume.