Bronchiectasis: comparison of preoperative thin-section CT and pathologic findings in resected specimens.

PURPOSE: To compare thin-section computed tomographic (CT) and pathologic findings in patients who have undergone resection for bronchiectasis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-two consecutive patients underwent thin-section CT (1.0-1.5-mm collimation) and resection for bronchiectasis. CT scans were reviewed by two observers without knowledge of the pathologic findings. The presence and extent of bronchiectasis and associated findings were assessed. All pathologic specimens were reviewed by a pathologist.

RESULTS: Forty-seven lobes had pathologically proved bronchiectasis. CT allowed detection of bronchiectasis in 41 lobes (87%). CT findings included lack of tapering of bronchial lumina (n = 37), internal diameter of bronchi greater than that of the adjacent pulmonary artery (n = 28), visualized bronchi within 1 cm of pleura (n = 21), and mucus-filled dilated bronchi (n = 3). Forty lobes had bronchiolitis. CT scans depicted bronchiolitis in 30 lobes (75%). CT findings of bronchiolitis included mosaic perfusion (n = 21), bronchiolectasis (n = 17), and centrilobular nodules or branching areas of soft-tissue attenuation (n = 10).

CONCLUSION: Thin-section CT depicted bronchiectasis in most of the resected bronchiectatic lobes.