[The role of radio-imaging techniques in the investigation of the pathophysiologic mechanisms in chronic obstructive bronchopneumonia. Part I. Role of imaging in the investigation of respiratory lesions caused by COPD]. / Aportul tehnicilor de radioimagistia întelegerea mecanismelor fiziopatologice din bronhopneumopatia obstructiva cronica. Partea I. Aportul imagisticii în investigarea leziunilor aparatului respirator caracteristice determinate de BPOC.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common disease (4-6% of adults), with insidious onset and slow progression, which is why the disease remains under diagnosed especially in early stages. Most patients get medical attention in stage III, IV of disease, according to GOLD classification (Global Obstructive Lung Diseases). According to GOLD, priority in staging the disease severity is the evaluation of respiratory function, the FEV1. However radiographic evaluation of patients with risk (smokers or those working in polluted environment) may represent a first step in marking the changes in the lung and especially comorbidities. Since this disease is causing disability and a major socioeconomic problem, modern investigations, such as spiral computerised tomography (CT), multidetector computerised tomography (MDCT) and magnetic resonance (MRI) may be alternatives in diagnosis and early detection of disease.

[The contribution of radioimaging to the understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD). Part II. Contribution of imaging in the investigation of comorbidities associated with COPD: cardiovascular diseases, lung cancer, skeletal muscle and nervous system disorders]. / Aportul tehnicilor de radioimagistia in intelegerea mecanismelor fiziopatologice din bronhopneumopatia obstructiva cronica. Partea II. Aportul imagisticii in investigarea comorbiditatilor asociate cu BPOC: boli cardiovasculare, cancer pulmonar, afectiuni ale musculaturii scheletice, sistemului nervos.

Among the diseases frequently associated with the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) count the pulmonary neoplasm, severe cardiovascular diseases, muscle wasting, osteoporosis, diabetes mellitus etc. These conditions are often diagnosed when already in an advanced stage, although their presence may seriously affect the patient's quality of life and prognostic. Under certain circumstances the early usage of imagistic techniques in addition to the pulmonary functional tests leads not only to the early adopting of an adequate treatment that considers the comorbidity, but offers also a better understanding of the COPD's physiopathology, of its--and of the associated diseases' evolution.