Dynamic-CF (version 10)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Utility and Validity of Dynamic Chest Radiography in Cystic Fibrosis
IRAS ID
266778
Contact name
Thomas Simon FitzMaurice
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 8 months, 2 days
Research summary
Cystic fibrosis is a disorder that affects many of the body systems, most significantly the lungs. The condition is characterised by repeated flare ups of lung infections, on a background of progressive decline in overall lung function. Current strategies to look at lung function either rely on still images (such as CT) or dynamic testing of lung function (such as spirometry or plethysmography). In CT, changes such as how the muscles of breathing work are lost, and a relatively large dose of radiation is received. Spirometry can be poorly-tolerated, and its results are dependent on how well the patient tolerates the testing. The tests can be difficult to do during exacerbations.
Dynamic x-ray captures a series of still chest radiograph images over a short (usually 20 second) period, which are combined as a ‘live’ image, much in the same way that a series of still frames make up a segment of film. The radiation needed to gather these images is around the same amount as a standard chest x-ray. Information on lung volume, lung ventilation and muscle/rib movement can be gained from a single dynamic radiograph. The technology has only recently been realised, as it requires large amounts of computer processing power to extract relevant information from the series of images captured.
In this way, dynamic x-ray may provide a useful adjunct to current imaging techniques. Little research has been done in cystic fibrosis patients, and this study aims to validate the use of dynamic chest x-ray against current standards, and to assess how well it measures change in lung function during exacerbations.
The study will be conducted solely at the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, and will involve all adult CF cohort of patients. The study will last approximately one year and will end once dynamic chest x-rays of our patients are taken.REC name
North West - Haydock Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/NW/0709
Date of REC Opinion
25 Nov 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion