CT findings in Swyer-James syndrome

Objective: To evaluate the CT findings of Swyer-James syndrome. Methods: In 28 patients (12 males, 16 females; age range 11-57 years, mean 32 years), inspiratory chest X-ray films were performed, and 5 of them with expiratory chest films and 1 with bronchogram. Furthermore, inspiratory and expiratory CT scans were performed. The CT findings were analyzed and compared with that of X-ray films. Results: CT demonstrated 56 lobes were hyper-lucent and with decreasing vascularity, and the size was small in 51 lobes (91%) and normal in 5 lobes. X-ray films showed that the hyper-lucency was only in 29 lobes (52%), and 19 lobes (66%) with small size. Air trapping was detected in all 56 lobes on the expiratory CT scans, but in only 5 lobes on the expiratory X-ray films. In one case with bronchogram, bronchiectasis and bronchiolitis obliterans were demonstrated. CT showed 24 patients with bronchiectasis, 9 patients with TB, 10 patients with bronchiolitis, and 2 with segmental collapse. Conclusion: Inspiratory and expiratory CT scans are very useful for the diagnosis and the differential diagnosis of SJS