Korean J Med.  2009 Oct;77(4):407-414.

Clinical use of chest CT in chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases

• Park KJ

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is commonly a combination of pulmonary emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Emphysema is a pathologically defined disease that can be accurately diagnosed using CT. Furthermore, CT is useful for determination of the subtypes, extent and distribution of emphysema. Objective quantification of emphysema is feasible using CT densitometry of lung parenchyma, that can be used for selection of adequate candidates and monitoring clinical results of various therapeutic measures for severe emphysema. Imaging parameters in CT densitometry should be kept constant in follow up examination for an effective comparison of the results. Chronic bronchitis is diagnosed by symptomatic criteria with nonspecific CT findings. Airway dimensions can be objectively measured using CT, enabling further understanding of pathophysiology of COPD.

Keyword

Pulmonary disease, Chronic obstructive; Pulmonary emphysema; Bronchitis, Chronic; Tomography, X.ray computed; Image processing; Computer-Assisted

MeSH Terms

Bronchitis, Chronic
Densitometry
Emphysema
Follow-Up Studies
Lung
Lung Diseases, Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary Emphysema
Thorax