[CT pathologic correlative study of diffuse panbronchiolitis]

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Radiology
• Pathology

Background:

• Diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB) is a chronic inflammatory airway disease.
• Accurate CT imaging interpretation is crucial for diagnosing DPB.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish correlations between CT findings and pathologic features of diffuse panbronchiolitis.
• To identify characteristic CT signs of DPB.

Main Methods:

• Comparison of CT images from five DPB patients with inflated lung specimens.
• Histological examination, stereomicroscopy, and contact radiography of lung tissues.
• Diagnosis based on the presence of the characteristic "unit lesion" of panbronchiolitis.

Main Results:

• CT findings included diffuse small rounded and linear opacities, small airway dilation, and bronchial wall thickening.
• Small rounded opacities, located in centrilobular regions, corresponded to inflammatory cell collections.
• Bronchiolar dilation with secretions explained linear opacities; cylindrical airway dilation was prominent peripherally.

Conclusions:

• CT findings correlate with the pathologic "unit lesion" of DPB, particularly centrilobular opacities and peripheral airway dilation.
• CT can visualize key features of DPB, though small nodular shadows may obscure underlying respiratory bronchiolitis.
• The frequent co-occurrence of bronchiectasis in DPB necessitates evaluation of its relationship with other causes.