Radiologic Findings of Bronchial Asthma.

Park, Jai Soung; Paik, Sang Hyun

doi:2005.59.6.591

Tuberc Respir Dis > Volume 59(6); 2005 > Article

Review Article

Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases 2005;59(6):591-599.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4046/trd.2005.59.6.591 Published online December 1, 2005.

Radiologic Findings of Bronchial Asthma.

Jai Soung Park, Sang Hyun Paik

Department of Radiology, Soonchunhyang University School of Medicine, Korea. jspark@schbc.ac.kr

Abstract

Asthma is the most common disease of the lungs, and one that poses specific challenges for the physicians including radiologist. This article reviews for the clinical diagnosis, Radiologic features, and differential diagnosis of asthma, and outlines the radiologic features of the complications of asthma. Bronchial wall thickening and hyperinflation characterize the chest radiograph of the patients with asthma. On CT scan one may see airway wall thickening, thickened centrilobular structures, and focal or diffuse hyperlucency. Apparent bronchial dilatation may be seen, but the diagnosis of bronchiectasis should be made with caution. Quantification of changes in the airway wall and lung parenchyma may be valuable in understanding the mechanisms of asthma and in evaluating the effects of treatment. The challenge for the physician evaluating the images of a patient with asthma is to find complications.