High resolution computed tomography findings and pulmonary function tests among mustard gas exposed patients: Is there a Remarkable Relationship?

Objective: High resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and pulmonary function tests (PFT) are the two main methods, currently used for investigation of pulmonary complications in sulfur mustard gas exposed patients. According to different types of injuries in mustard gas exposed individuals, we decided to test the correlation between PFT and HRCT in these victims.�Methodology: Fifty one randomly selected cases from 12000 mustard gas exposed patients during Iran-Iraq war (1983-1989) were studied. HRCT and PFT were conducted based on standard protocols. HRCT scores were tested for correlation to PFT measures.Results: A significant differences between PFT findings were found within HRCT groups (score ? 3, score 4-6 and score ? 7). There was a significant correlation between HRCT scores and FEV1, MMEF and FEV1: FVC ratio (P 0.05) in all subjects.Conclusion: HRCT and PFT results showed an acceptable correlation in mustard gas exposed patients. It seems to be useful to use each of these two diagnostic tools based on clinical judgment and feasibility