Visualization of the interlobar pleura with multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) images from helical CT

To visualize interlobar pleura, we made multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) images from the helical CT scans. MPR from 2mm slice thickness well visualized interlobar pleura as a smooth linear structure, which was better than that from 5mm slice. We applied this technique to the patients with lesions of or adjacent to the interlobar pleura. MPR in appropriate direction could demonstrate abnormal changes of interlobar pleura, as well as relationship between the pleura and adjacent lesions, which provides important information about spread and progress pattern of those lesions. Thus we concluded that this MPR was useful for clinical diagnosis.