Diagnosis of emphysema

Thirty-seven patients with chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD) were divided into three groups on the basis of radiologic evidence of emphysema. The category of radiologic emphysema correlated with severity of abnormality of routine lung function, gas exchange and lung mechanics. Within the group of patients with no radiologic abnormally, a subgroup with severe functional abnormalities, quite similar to those found in patients with widespread radiologic emphysema, could be selected on the basis of maximum elastic recoil less than 10 cm H2O.