High-resolution CT in diffuse panbronchiolitis

High-resolution CT (HRCT) of twenty patients with diffuse panbronchiolitis was reviewed to evaluate the correlation with the stage and pulmonary function. The most basic finding was diffuse small nodules, observed in all twenty patients. Of all HRCT findings diffuse small nodules correlated with %FEV 1 and PaO2 (p < 0.05). Tram line or ectatic change of peripheral airways correlated with PaO2 and PaCO2 (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis among HRCT features concerning the stage showed that involvement of thin subpleural area (SSA) was the most contributory finding (partial cor. = 0.70830) to the advanced state (stage 3) with statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). The finding concerned with such spared thin subpleural area is an important diagnostic clue in stage 3 as well as a clinical evidence of infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. According to this review, HRCT is considered to be an effective and promising modality in the evaluation of diffuse panbronchiolitis. (author)