Imaging of Small Airways Diseases.
Small airways disease, or bronchiolitis, encompasses many conditions that result in bronchiolar inflammation and/or fibrosis. Bronchioles are distal airways within secondary pulmonary lobules that are only visible on imaging when abnormal. High-resolution computed tomography plays an important role in diagnosing small airways disease. The predominant direct high-resolution computed tomography sign of bronchiolitis includes centrilobular nodules, whereas air trapping is the main indirect finding. This article reviews bronchiolar anatomy, discusses the differential diagnosis for cellular and constrictive bronchiolitis with a focus on key imaging features, and discusses how to distinguish important mimics.
['Berniker|Abigail V|AV|', 'Henry|Travis S|TS|']
D055745:Bronchioles D001988:Bronchiolitis D003937:Diagnosis, Differential D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine D006801:Humans D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement D013902:Radiography, Thoracic D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Small airways diseases Bronchiolitis High-resolution computed tomography Centrilobular nodules Air trapping Constrictive bronchiolitis Tree-in-bud