USG measurements were: Right thickness at end expiration (RTEEx) 0.28 ± .05 cm, Right Thickness at end inspiration (RTEIs) 0.21 ± .05 cm, Right Diaphragm Thickening fraction (RDTF) 23.1 ± 10.7%%.
Thickness at end inspiration (TEI) and thickness at end expiration (TEE) were measured in M-Mode with a 10 MHz vascular probe.
On the following day, patients were vacuum immobilized in the supine position, and computed tomographic (CT) images were taken in spiral mode with a 2 mm slice thickness at maximum expiration.
Vivier et al. [ 26] found that the relation between diaphragm thickness measured by inspiration and expiration using ultrasound correlated adequately with the work of breathing during noninvasive ventilation.
Diaphragm thickness was measured at end-expiration (Tdi,ee) and end-inspiration (Tdi,ei), and thickening fraction (TFdi) was calculated offline as (Tdi,ei Tdi,ee)/Tdi,ee.
Then, the DTF was calculated as percentage from the following formula: Thickness at end inspiration - Thickness at end expiration / Thickness at end expiration.
The values of Ppeak, PEEP, tidal volume Vt, Sp02, compliance, % gain, displacement, Tdi (thickness at end inspiration) Tdex (thickness at end expiration) were recorded by a single operator based on the low interobserver variability [3] of the ultrasound method.
In five more animals CT scans (GE Medical System Light Speed QX/I, 0.6 mm thickness, 100 mA, 100 Kv) were taken at end-expiration and end-inspiration (90% of inspiratory capacity) in both supine and prone positions.
A spiral thoracic CT scan, consisting of contiguous axial sections of 10 mm thickness, was performed from the apex to the diaphragm at end-expiration both before and 30 s (group 1; n = 7) or 15 min (group 2; n = 7) after injection of 80 ml contrast material.
Cut to sandwich thickness?
