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Chronic hypercapnia and radiological changes in the pituitary fossa
Thorax
|December 1, 1978
Summary
Chronic bronchitis patients with hypercapnia (high carbon dioxide levels) may show signs of increased intracranial pressure on skull X-rays. This finding could help diagnose chronic hypercapnia using pituitary fossa imaging.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Neurology
- Radiology
Background:
- Chronic bronchitis is a common respiratory condition.
- Hypercapnia, elevated carbon dioxide in the blood, is a known complication.
- Raised intracranial pressure can have serious neurological consequences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between chronic bronchitis with hypercapnia and radiological signs of raised intracranial pressure.
- To explore the potential of skull radiography, specifically the pituitary fossa, as a diagnostic tool for chronic hypercapnia.
Main Methods:
- Studied ten patients with chronic bronchitis and hypercapnia.
- Utilized skull radiography to assess for signs of raised intracranial pressure.
- Compared findings with a control group of chronic bronchitis patients without hypercapnia, matched for age and ventilatory impairment.
Main Results:
- Seven of seven patients with chronic hypercapnia and one of one with intermittent hypercapnia exhibited radiological evidence of raised intracranial pressure.
- No such abnormalities were observed in eight matched chronic bronchitis patients without hypercapnia.
Conclusions:
- Chronic hypercapnia in bronchitis patients may be linked to radiological findings suggestive of raised intracranial pressure.
- Skull radiography, particularly of the pituitary fossa, may serve as a diagnostic indicator for the chronicity of hypercapnia.