Abstract:

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by airflow obstruction caused by emphysema or airway narrowing, or both. Chest radiography is an important tool in assessing patients with COPD presenting with worsening symptoms. Even so, it is accepted as a supportive method instead of being diagnostic. Thus, new approaches are required to diagnose and decide COPD early. The computed tomography measurements of large and small airway dimensions are useful for evaluating lung functions in patients with COPD and healthy current smokers. Recently, airway dimensions have been measured using high resolution computed tomography (HRCT). Classification of COPD into morphological phenotypes using HRCT may help in identifying those patients who will respond to selective therapy (bronchodilators or inhaled corticosteroid treatment). In the future, our understanding of the pathogenesis, natural history and phenotypes of COPD will be immensely promoted by imaging.

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