Expiratory CT scan in patients with normal inspiratory CT scan: a finding of obliterative bronchiolitis and other causes of bronchiolar obstruction

Michele Gaeta; Fabio Minutoli; Giuseppe Girbino; Alessandra Murabito; Caterina Benedetto; Rosario Contiguglia; Paolo Ruggeri; Salvatore Privitera

doi:10.4081/mrm.2013.542

Expiratory CT scan in patients with normal inspiratory CT scan: a finding of obliterative bronchiolitis and other causes of bronchiolar obstruction

Authors

Michele Gaeta Department of Biomedical Sciences and of Morphological and Functional Images, University of Messina, Messina
Fabio Minutoli Department of Biomedical Sciences and of Morphological and Functional Images, University of Messina, Messina
Giuseppe Girbino Department of Specialist Medical-Surgical Experimental Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Messina, Messina
Alessandra Murabito A.O.U “Policlinico P. Giaccone”, Palermo
Caterina Benedetto Department of Biomedical Sciences and of Morphological and Functional Images, University of Messina, Messina
Rosario Contiguglia Department of Environment and Primary Prevention, Local Health Unit, Messina
Paolo Ruggeri Department of Specialist Medical-Surgical Experimental Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Messina, Messina
Salvatore Privitera Local Health Unit, Giarre

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4081/mrm.2013.542

Keywords:

Air trapping, CT, Expiratory CT scan, Inspiratory CT scan, Airways disease

Abstract

Expiratory CT scan is usually obtained as supplement to normal inspiratory CT scan to recognize air-trapping, which is expression of small airways obstruction. In some patients the air-trapping may be the only sign of an early-stage small airways disease in an otherwise normal lung. The purpose of this article is to illustrate pathologic conditions, namely obliterative bronchiolitis, in which expiratory CT scan can be abnormal despite normal inspiratory CT examination, and to highlight indications for this technique in patients with clinical and functional suspect of bronchiolar obstruction.