Our Summary

This research looked at how a specific type of 3D imaging (known as 3D-quantitated SPECT/CT) can help doctors decide on the best treatment for people who need lung surgery but might have a high risk of complications.

The researchers studied 120 patients who were scheduled to have lung surgery. They used two different methods to estimate how well different parts of the patients’ lungs were working: a traditional method and the new 3D imaging method. They found that the traditional method underestimated how well the upper lobes of the lungs were working and overestimated the lower lobes compared to the new 3D method.

Importantly, for some patients with issues in their upper lungs, the new 3D method would have suggested a different treatment plan. These patients were at a high risk of dying after surgery.

Therefore, this 3D imaging method might be a useful tool for doctors to use when planning lung surgery, especially for patients who might have a high risk of complications. More research is needed to confirm these results.

FAQs

  1. What is the specific type of 3D imaging discussed in this research?
  2. How does the 3D-quantitated SPECT/CT method compared to the traditional method in evaluating lung function?
  3. Can the 3D-quantitated SPECT/CT method suggest a different treatment plan for patients at high risk of complications?

Doctor’s Tip

One helpful tip a doctor might give to a patient undergoing lung resection is to discuss the use of 3D imaging (such as 3D-quantitated SPECT/CT) with their healthcare provider. This imaging method can provide a more accurate assessment of how different parts of the lungs are functioning, which can help guide the treatment plan and reduce the risk of complications. It’s important to have open communication with your healthcare team and explore all available options to ensure the best possible outcome for your surgery.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended for lung resection include those with lung cancer, lung infections, lung abscesses, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchiectasis, and other lung diseases that cannot be treated with medication or less invasive procedures. Additionally, patients who have a high risk of complications from surgery, such as those with poor lung function or other underlying health conditions, may benefit from the use of 3D imaging to help determine the best treatment plan.

Timeline

Before lung resection:

  1. Patient is diagnosed with a condition that requires lung surgery.
  2. Patient undergoes various tests and imaging to determine the extent of the condition and assess lung function.
  3. Doctors use traditional methods to estimate lung function and plan the surgery.
  4. Patient may be at a high risk of complications due to the condition or other health factors.

After lung resection:

  1. Patient undergoes lung surgery, which may involve removing part of the lung or the entire lung.
  2. Doctors use the new 3D imaging method to assess how well different parts of the remaining lung are functioning.
  3. The 3D imaging method provides more accurate information compared to traditional methods.
  4. The new imaging method may suggest a different treatment plan for patients with issues in their upper lungs who are at a high risk of complications.
  5. More research is needed to confirm the effectiveness of the 3D imaging method in helping doctors plan lung surgery for high-risk patients.

What to Ask Your Doctor

Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about lung resection include:

  1. Can you explain to me the specific type of lung surgery (lung resection) that you are recommending for me?
  2. What are the potential risks and complications associated with this type of surgery?
  3. How will this surgery impact my lung function and overall quality of life?
  4. Are there any alternative treatment options that I should consider?
  5. Will I need any pre-operative tests or evaluations before the surgery?
  6. What is the expected recovery time and what should I expect during the post-operative period?
  7. How will you determine which parts of my lungs need to be removed during the surgery?
  8. Are there any specific factors (such as my age, overall health, or lung function) that may affect the success of the surgery?
  9. Have you considered using 3D imaging (specifically 3D-quantitated SPECT/CT) to help guide the treatment plan for my surgery?
  10. Are there any clinical trials or research studies that I should be aware of that could potentially impact my treatment plan?

Reference

Authors: Mallaev M, Chirindel AF, Lardinois D, Tamm M, Vija AH, Cachovan M, Wild D, Stolz D, Nicolas GP. Journal: Clin Lung Cancer. 2023 Nov;24(7):621-630. doi: 10.1016/j.cllc.2023.07.006. Epub 2023 Jul 29. PMID: 37544842