Bronchiectasis in children: Assessment by CT

Abstract

The prevalence of bronchiectasis (BR), in general, is decreasing, yet the disease can produce significant morbidity in children. In the pediatric age group the classical investigation by bronchography implies general anaesthesia, thus carrying an additional risk of complications. CT has proved highly accurate in the diagnosis of BR in adults. It is also considered a reliable modality for the diagnosis of BR in children. This conclusion was reached by analysing the radiographic and the CT findings in 40 children with the clinical suspicion of BR in 25 of whom the CT examination was positive. Nine patients of this last group had bronchography as well. There was complete correlation in the diagnosis and location between the CT and the bronchographic findings. Thus, it seems that the occurrence of this disease is still high in the pediatric population in the appropriate clinical and radiological setting. The imaging evaluation of BR should include chest radiographs, computerized tomography and, if surgery is planned, bronchography as well.

Detection of pulmonary complications in common variable immunodeficiency

“…Bronchiectasis was most commonly detected, often in association with bronchial wall thickening and mucus plugs (25). Both bronchiectasis and bronchial wall thickening mainly showed middle lobe predominance on HRCT, followed by the lower lobes and lingula (3, 8, 20, 24–26). Isolated upper lobe predominance was only reported by Obregon et al.…”

“…Recent survival studies show a lower mortality compared with studies from past decades (13). Additionally, a lower incidence of pulmonary complications is seen on CXR, PFT and HRCT in studies performed after 1995, when compared with earlier studies (15,19,21,25,26,28). As the median diagnostic delay has not changed much over the past decades, optimalization of treatment strategies is likely to account for this improved survival (13,38,52).…”

Pulmonary complications in primary hypogammaglobulinemia: a survey by high resolution CT scan

“…The exact identification of pulmonary complications could be made using a high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scan. The high sensitivity and specificity of HRCT in showing irreversible and significant bronchiectasis, which is the most important complication in these patients, and also its advantages over the other procedures, made it the most preferably procedure [5][6][7][8][9][10]. This study was performed to evaluate the extent of lung abnormalities in primary hypogammaglobulinaemic patients using the HRCT scoring system and also assessing the pulmonary function test (PFT).…”

High-resolution CT of paediatric lung disease

“…1) [19,20]. The CT criteria for the diagnosis of bronchiectasis in children are similar to those in adults: bronchial dilatation in relation to the accompanying pulmonary artery (ªsignet ringº sign); bronchial wall thickening (allowing visualization of airways more distally than usual); and crowding of airways and a lack of tapering of airways [21].…”