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CT scans not indicative of lung transfer in asthmatics

מתוך medicontext.co.il
By David Douglas

WESTPORT, CT (Reuters Health) – Although high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) lung densitometry can provide information on factors such as airflow limitation in asthmatics, the findings do not correlate with measures of pulmonary diffusing capacity, according to Japanese researchers.

Dr. F. Mitsunobu of Okayama University Medical School, Misasa, and colleagues note that in patients with COPD, increases in low attenuation areas on CT scans reflect emphysematous changes. Furthermore, such measurement "correlates well with transfer factor, a sensitive index of pulmonary emphysema, and measurements of airway obstruction." However, they also point out that the evidence for the presence of emphysema in asthmatics is "controversial."

To investigate what use HRCT might be in evaluating the extent of possible emphysematous and other changes in asthmatics, the researchers employed the technique in 45 asthmatics and 15 controls. The findings were published in the November issue of Thorax.

In asthmatics, both mean lung density and the relative areas of the lung showing attenuation values below -950 Hounsfield Units, correlated with parameters of airflow limitation and lung volume. The results also correlated with patients' age and disease severity. However, no relationship was seen with lung transfer factor.

The investigators thus observe that in asthmatics, decreased HRCT lung density, is "related to airflow limitation, hyperinflation and aging."

Furthermore, Dr Mitsunobu told Reuters Health, that lung density findings from HRCT, "may be a useful parameter to consider in assessing disease severity in patients with chronic asthma." The technique also can help "discriminate between emphysematous lesions and chronic overinflation." Although the procedure is expensive, he concluded, in comparison with pulmonary function tests, it can still "provide another source of useful information about chronic asthma."

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