Condition Specific Radiology: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

OVERVIEW

This page is dedicated to covering how the condition chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) will appear on different types of radiological imaging studies. 

BASIC CHARACTERISTICS

Here are various radiological features that can be characteristic of COPD:

  • Decreased density of lungs (hyperlucency): this can be c combination of the destruction of the capillary bed, lung parenchyma, and retained air. 
  • Narrowing of the cardiomediastinal silhouette: this can occur secondary to hyper inflated lungs. 
  • Bullae: these are often apical 
  • Coarse/distorted bronchovasucalr and interstitial markings:
  • Peribronchial cuffing: the walls of the bronchi are thickened (related to the hypertrophy of mucus glands and secondary to inflammation. 
  • Saber sheath trachea: altered dimensions of the trachea can be seen radiologically. Because of compression of the mediastinum a narrowed trachea can be seen on frontal views, and a widened trachea can be seen on lateral views. 
X-RAY

 

COMPUTIRIZED TOMOGRAPHY (CT-SCAN)

 

MAGNETIC REASONANCE IMAGING (MRI)

 

Page Updated: 03.01.2017