[Bronchial asthma and bronchial hyperreactivity : Role of imaging]

Bronchial asthma is a heterogeneous airway disease primarily diagnosed through clinical evaluation and pulmonary function testing. Although imaging plays only a secondary role in the initial diagnostic process, it provides clinically relevant complementary information to support the differential diagnosis, document structural abnormalities, and detect complications.

The imaging spectrum includes conventional chest radiography, high-resolution computed tomography (CT), and complementary magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and functional techniques, enabling precise characterization of structural alterations and ventilatory heterogeneity. Quantitative and advanced functional modalities offer additional differentiating parameters but are largely used as adjunct or research-oriented tools.

Imaging represents a valuable diagnostic adjunct in asthma management when clinically indicated, particularly in atypical disease courses, poor treatment response, or suspected complications. Quantitative and functional techniques hold significant potential for phenotyping and personalized therapeutic strategies, but require further standardization to enhance clinical applicability.