Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases

The Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases (대한결핵및호흡기학회)
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Radiologic Findings of Bronchial Asthma

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  • Park, Jai Soung (Department of Radiology, Soonchunhyang University School of Medicine) ;
  • Paik, Sang Hyun (Department of Radiology, Soonchunhyang University School of Medicine)
  • 박재성 (순천향대학교 의과대학 방사선과학교실) ;
  • 백상현 (순천향대학교 의과대학 방사선과학교실)
  • Published : 2005.12.30
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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.

Keywords

References

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