CT Attenuation Values of Lung Density in Sarcoidosis

Abstract
Mean lung density (MLD), as determined by a chest computed tomographic sector method, was evaluated in 12 patients with sarcoidosis and diffuse interstitial lung disease. MLD in sarcoidosis was -610.9 .+-. 57.3 Hounsfield units (HU), significantly different (P < 0.001) from a control group MLD of -748.1 .+-. 31.9 HU. There was also a significant inverse correlation between the forced vital capacity and total lung capacity in the sarcoidosis group. Apparently, a major factor determining MLD in a diffuse interstitial process, such as sarcoidosis, is pulmonary gas volume.