Role of computed tomography in the recognition of bronchiectasis

Journal Article · Thu Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1984 · Am. J. Roentgenol. Radium Ther.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2214/ajr.143.5.971· OSTI ID:6202904

Mueller, N L; Bergin, C J; Ostrow, D N; Nichols, D M

To assess the accuracy of computed tomography (CT) in the recognition of bronchiectasis, CT was performed in 11 patients with clinical findings strongly suggestive of this diagnosis. In two patients, CT showed extensive bilateral cystic and varicose bronchiectasis, and bronchography was considered unwarranted. In four patients, bilateral, and in five, unilateral bronchograms were obtained. Correlation was made between the CT and bronchographic findings in these 13 lungs. In only six bronchograms did CT give an accurate assessment of the presence and extent of disease. In five, the diagnosis of cylindrical and varicose bronchiectasis was missed on CT. It was concluded that CT may be useful in the diagnosis of cystic bronchiectasis, but is unreliable in detecting cylindrical and varicose changes. Bronchography, therefore, remains the definitive method for establishing the diagnosis, extent, and severity of bronchiectasis.

• Research Organization: Vancouver General Hospital, British Columbia
• OSTI ID: 6202904
• Journal Information: Am. J. Roentgenol. Radium Ther.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. J. Roentgenol. Radium Ther.; (United States) Vol. 143:5; ISSN AJRTA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ANATOMY
BRONCHI
COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY
DIAGNOSIS
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
DISEASES
MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES
PATIENTS
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DISEASES
TOMOGRAPHY