Role of MDCT Scan-Based Volumetric Assessment Post Decortication in Cases of Chronic Tubercular Empyema Thoracis Patients

To evaluate the recovery of vital lung tissue after organ restoration decortication procedure open or video endoscopically, an objective parameter was required. Hitherto, less described multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) scan-based assessment of volumetric parameters in patients of chronic empyema thoracis was done before and after surgery. A total of 35 patients of chronic tubercular empyema thoracis were studied. MDCT-based various volumes diseased pleura in pre- and postoperative period were measured. Spirometric findings (FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC) before and after intervention were also compared. In this study, there were 35 patients (men = 25, women = 10), with a mean age of 27.91 SD 8.18 years. Mean value of increase in volume of lung from preoperative 493.57 SD 79.47 cc to postoperative was 845.21 SD 40.83 cc (71.24% increase) with a p-value < 0.001. The mean value of decrease in thickness of diseased lung pleura from preoperative 52.60 SD 12.69 mm to postoperative was 3.82 SD 1.59 mm (93.80% decrease) with a p-value < 0.001. Mean value of decrease in the volume of diseased lung pleura from preoperative 335.52 SD 108.07 cc to post-intervention was 9.51 SD 5.74 cc (97.31% decrease) with a p-value < 0.001. MDCT scan from preoperative to postoperative period is additional tool to objectively assess recovery and correlates well with spirometric lung volume measurements.