RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 A comparison of serial computed tomography and functional change in bronchiectasis
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP 581
OP 587
DO 10.1183/09031936.02.00284602
VO 20
IS 3
A1 R.E. Sheehan
A1 A.U. Wells
A1 S.J. Copley
A1 S.R. Desai
A1 S.J. Howling
A1 P.J. Cole
A1 R. Wilson
A1 D.M. Hansell
YR 2002
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/20/3/581.abstract
AB In bronchiectasis the morphological determinants of (marginal) fluctuations in pulmonary function tests are uncertain. The aim of the present study was to evaluate serial computed tomography (CT) changes in relation to pulmonary function trends in patients with bronchiectasis. The relationships between pulmonary function indices and CT scans in 48 adult patients with bronchiectasis were evaluated at baseline and at follow-up, at a median interval of 28 months (range 6–74 months). Two independent observers semiquantitatively scored CT features of bronchial and small airways disease. At initial assessment, the severity of airflow obstruction was linked primarily to the extent of mosaic attenuation. However, serial changes in pulmonary function indices were only associated with serial changes in mucous plugging scores. Alterations in mucous plugging on serial CT were associated with changes in the severity of bronchiectasis and bronchial wall thickness. Greater severity of all three morphological abnormalities at baseline CT were predictive of significant declines in forced expiratory volume in one second, with severe bronchial wall thickness being the most adverse prognostic determinant. Variations in mucous plugging on computed tomography correlate with minor fluctuations in pulmonary function tests in bronchiectasis. However, the severity of bronchial wall thickness is the primary determinant of subsequent major functional decline.