Tomographic findings in bronchial atresia / Achados tomográficos na atresia brônquica

Abstract Objective: To evaluate computed tomography (CT) findings in 23 patients with bronchial atresia. Materials and Methods: The CT images were reviewed by two radiologists who reached decisions by consensus. We included only patients who presented with abnormalities on CT and in whom the diagnosis had been confirmed by pathological examination of the surgical specimen (if the lesion was resected). The CT scans were assessed in order to identify the main findings and to map the distribution of the lesions (i.e., to determine whether the pulmonary involvement was unilateral or bilateral). Results: The main CT finding was the combination of bronchocele and hyperinflation of the distal lung. That combination was observed in all of the patients. The lesions were unilateral in all 23 cases, being seen predominantly in the left upper lobe, followed by the right lower lobe, right upper lobe, middle lobe, and left lower lobe. Conclusion: The diagnosis of bronchial atresia can be reliably made on the basis of a finding of bronchocele accompanied by hyperinflation of the adjacent lung parenchyma.

Resumo Objetivo: Analisar os achados na tomografia computadorizada (TC) de tórax de 23 pacientes com atresia brônquica. Materiais e Métodos: As imagens de TC foram avaliadas por dois observadores e os casos discordantes foram resolvidos por consenso. Os critérios de inclusão foram a presença de anormalidades na TC compatíveis com atresia brônquica e/ou diagnóstico confirmado por exame anatomopatológico das peças cirúrgicas para os pacientes submetidos a ressecção cirúrgica. As TCs foram avaliadas quanto aos principais achados de imagem, à distribuição das lesões, ao envolvimento pulmonar unilateral ou bilateral. Resultados: Os principais achados na TC foram a presença de broncocele, hiperinsuflação do parênquima pulmonar ou ambos. A combinação desses achados foi encontrada em todos os pacientes. Em relação à distribuição, o envolvimento foi unilateral nos 23 casos. Quando se consideraram os lobos mais acometidos, o lobo superior esquerdo foi o mais acometido, seguido do lobo inferior direito, lobo superior direito, lobo médio e lobo inferior esquerdo. Conclusão: O diagnóstico de atresia brônquica pode ser feito em presença de broncocele associada com hiperinsuflação do parênquima pulmonar adjacente.

Communicating Bronchopulmonary Foregut Malformation: A Case Report

Communicating bronchopulmonary foregut malformations are rare tracheobronchial anomalies characterized by a fistula between an isolated portion of respiratory tissue and the esophagus or stomach. We describe a case of CBFM in which chest radiography revealed total haziness in the right lung field. The diagnosis was confirmed by esophagography.

High-Resolution CT in Patients with Chronic Airflow Obstruction: Correlation with Clinical Diagnosis and Pulmonary Function Test

PURPOSE: To determine the utility of HRCT in the diagnosis of chronic airflow obstruction and to correlate the morphologic abnormalities revealed by this modality with functional impairment in patients with chronic air-flow obstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS:This study involved 80 patients with chronic airflow obstruction who underwent HRCT and a pulmonary function test. Final clinical diagnosis in these patients was determined by a chest physician on the basis of clinical features, bronchoscopy, pulmonary function test, and HRCT. In order to diagnose and determine the extent of areas of decreased attenuation revealed by HRCT (the CT score), the find-ings of HRCT were retrospectively reviewed by two radiologists, who reached a consensus. Clinical and HRCT diagnoses were then compared, and the rate of agreement between them was calculated. The relation-ship between the extent of areas of decreased attenuation revealed by HRCT and by FEV1/FVC was evaluated using Correl 's account and Student 's unpaired t-test. RESULTS: The agreement rate between clinical and HRCT diagnoses was 77.5% (62/80). The rates for bronchiec-tasis (88.9%, 24/27), emphysema (93.9%, 31/33), and bronchiolitis obliterans (100%, 6/6) were considerably higher than those for chronic bronchitis and bronchial asthma. The correlation rate between CT score and FEV1/FVC was significant in bronchiectasis (p0.05). CONCLUSION: HRCT is valuable in the diagnosis and prediction of physiologic impairment in patients with bronchiectasis and bronchiolitis obliterans, but has limited value in those with emphysema, chronic bronchitis or asthma.