Abstract

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of high resolution computed tomography(HRCT) with additional criteria from the normal controls and to appreciate clinical applicability as a definite diagnostic tool for bronchiectasis, we performed a comparative study of HRCT and bronchography. Fourteen consecutive patients who were clinically suspected of having bronchiectasis were investigated prospectively. Fourteen HRCTs' and 23 bronchograms(5 unilateral, 9 bilateral) were performed. Ten healthy voluteers were examined to establish the criteria of normality on HRCT. A total of 185 bronchopulmonary segments were investigated. Segment-by-segment comparison of the 2 studies for the detection of ectatic bronchi was done by 2 radiologists. There were no identifiable bronchi within 2cm from the pleural surface on the HRCT of the normals. The same order bronchi of a lobe or a segment had similar diameters. A bronchus didn't exceed the accompanying pulmonary artery in outer diameter. The diagnostic concordance rate between the 2 modalities was 90.3%(168/185). We tried to establish additional criteria for bronchiectasis. With application of the new criteria, the HRCT, showed a high diagnostic concordance rate with bronchography. Therefore, HRCT should be considered as a definite diagnostic tool for bronchiectasis.

Keywords

• Lung, CT 60.1211;
• Bronchieetasis 60.26;
• Bronchi, CT60.1211