Clinical use of chest CT in chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases / 대한내과학회지

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.