CT of the lung parenchyma and the pulmonary function test

Computed tomography (CT) views of the lung parenchyma were compared with the corresponding pulmonary function tests (PFTs) in 39 patients. Scans were assigned a quantitative degree of involvement based on previously described CT findings. CT was fairly successful in confirming a normal appearance of the lungs in patients with normal PFTs (ten cases). CT was accurate in detecting the presence of a chronic interstitial pattern in patients with restrictive defects on PFTs (15 cases). CT was generally less successful in both the detection and quantitation in patients with PFT criteria of chronic obstructive lung disease (14 cases).