Use of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation to improve the quality of conventional CT and CTPA

Summary 

Pulmonary specialists are frequently asked to evaluate patients with equivocal findings on CT and CTPA. Inspiratory and expiratory images are invaluable, but some patients are unable to perform the required respiratory maneuvers adequately. Our cases demonstrate how the application of CPAP during imaging can clarify imaging for airway, parenchymal and vascular findings. The improved images were critical to management decisions in these cases. While this technique is not necessary for most patients, it can be very helpful in selected cases.

Keywords: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), Computed tomography, Computed tomographic pulmonary angiography, Noninvasive ventilation, Inspiratory and expiratory CT, Mosaic pattern