Use of electrical impedance tomography for quantitative evaluation of disability level of bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a noninvasive, diagnostic imaging method suitable for functional examination of lung tissue. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a disease of neonates which occurs as a result of a necessary and very specific post-natal care that includes mechanical ventilation, and manifests mainly by structural changes. Affected lungs contain more condensed matter, therefore their resistivity decreases, which can be measured using EIT. The aim of the study is to examine lung resistivity, lung density and lung volumes of extremely preterm neonates suffering from BPD and to determine whether it is possible to use EIT as a tool to ensure a quantitative evaluation of a disability level of BPD depending on measured lung parameters.