What is bronchiolitis obliterans?
What is bronchiolitis obliterans?
Bronchiolitis obliterans is a rare chronic disease that worsens over time. This disease was first discovered in workers at a microwave popcorn plant who had inhaled the flavoring chemical diacetyl. Thus, the bronchiolitis obliterans became known as ‘popcorn lung’.
Does a CT scan show Airways?
Introduction. Expiratory CT scan is sensitive for the detection of air-trapping, which is a definitive sign of airway obstruction in various airway disease, including emphysema, bronchiolitis obliterans, bronchial asthma, Swyer-James syndrome, cystic fibrosis, sarcoidosis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis [1, 2].
Is bronchiolitis obliterans considered COPD?
Also known as obliterative bronchiolitis and “popcorn lung,” it causes symptoms similar to those of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma, such as coughing and shortness of breath. Diagnostic tests can help distinguish these illnesses from each other.
Can a CT scan show COPD?
CT images can identify emphysema better and at an earlier stage than a chest x-ray. They can also identify other changes of COPD such as enlarged arteries in the lungs. CT is sometimes used to measure the extent of emphysema within the lungs.
Which CT findings are characteristic of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome?
CT findings in patients with bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome include bronchial dilation, bronchial wall thickening, mosaic perfusion, and air trapping on expiratory images (Fig. 18). Of these findings, expiratory air trapping appears to be the most sensitive indicator.
Does air trapping on CT show bronchiolitis obliterans?
Because air trapping often becomes apparent only on expiratory imaging, this technique is an essential part of the CT evaluation for bronchiolitis [ 3 ]. In patients with bronchiolitis obliterans, the extent of air trapping on expiratory CT provides the best correlation with indexes of physiologic impairment [ 4 ].
How is obstructive bronchiectasis (Bo) diagnosed on CT scan?
So the analysis of the CT images is limited to assessment of secondary signs related to the small airway obstruction. The main CT finding of BO on CT scans performed at end inspiration is geographic in homogeneity of lung attenuation (mosaic attenuation pattern), seen in 40–80% of patients ( Table 2) 4, 10.
What does a CT scan of a lung nodule show?
High-resolution CT image shows diffuse fine poorly defined centrilobular nodules (arrows) with more patchy ground-glass opacity posteriorly.
