Bronchial reactivity in hyperresponsive patients and healthy individuals: Demonstration with high resolution computed tomography

G. Schueller, K. Neumann, T. Helbich, H. Riemer, W. Backfrieder, K. Sertl, C. J. Herold

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective: High resolution computed tomography (HRCT) was used to assess the extent of bronchial reactivity after inhalative bronchoprovocation and dilation in hyperresponsive patients and healthy subjects. Patients and methods: Patients with mild intermittent asthma, 15 with a >20% decrease in FEV 1 and a >10 mmHg (PC20+) in PaO2, 12 with a <20% decrease in FEV1 and a >10 mmHg (PC20-) in PaO2 after provocation, and eight healthy humans were included in the study. Changes in cross-sectional area in a total of 1256 bronchi and in bronchial wall area (792 bronchi) were evaluated after histamine-triggered bronchoprovocation and salbutamol-induced bronchodilation at high lung volumes (FVC 80%). Data were compared with the results of pulmonary function tests (FEV1, PaO2, PaCO2). Results: In all groups, a significant decrease in bronchial cross-sectional area (P<0.001) and a significant increase in bronchial wall area (P<0.001) were observed subsequent to bronchoprovocation. After bronchodilation, the increase in cross-sectional area (P<0.001) and the further increase in airway wall area (P<0.01) were significant in all groups. In PC20+ and PC 20- asthmatics, significant differences (P<0.05) in PaO 2, >10 mmHg between baseline and provocation were observed. In healthy persons, the PaO2 decrease was <10 mmHg (P>0.05). After histamine provocation, the decrease in FEV1 was measured in the PC20+ group, whereas a <20% FEV1 decrease was found in the PC20- and the control groups, respectively. No significant correlations were observed between radiological data and the results of pulmonary function tests. Conclusions: HRCT demonstrated bronchial reactivity in hyperresponsive patients and, unexpectedly, in healthy subjects. The applied pulmonary function tests failed to characterize bronchial reactions in the healthy subjects. Based on these results, HRCT is a useful tool by which to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the pathophysiological processes in asthmatic patients.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)151-156
Number of pages6
JournalEuropean Journal of Radiology
Volume52
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2004
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Bronchial asthma
  • HRCT
  • Pulmonary function test
  • Pulmonary hyperresponsiveness
  • Bronchial Hyperreactivity/diagnostic imaging
  • Asthma/diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Bronchi/immunology

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