Differences in radiological/HRCT findings in eosinophilic bronchitis and asthma: implication for bronchial responsiveness

• Published in: Thorax Vol. 61; no. 1; pp. 41 - 47
• Main Authors: Park, S-W, Park, J-S, Lee, Y-M, Lee, J-H, Jang, A-S, Kim, D-J, Hwangbo, Y, Uh, S-T, Kim, Y-H, Park, C-S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Thoracic Society 01.01.2006; BMJ; BMJ Publishing Group LTD; BMJ Group
• Subjects: AHR; airway hyperresponsiveness; Airway management; airway wall area percentage; Asthma; Asthma - diagnostic imaging; Asthma - pathology; Asthma - physiopathology; Biological and medical sciences; Bronchi - pathology; Bronchial Hyperreactivity - diagnostic imaging; Bronchial Hyperreactivity - pathology; Bronchial Hyperreactivity - physiopathology; Bronchitis - diagnostic imaging; Bronchitis - pathology; Bronchitis - physiopathology; Case-Control Studies; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma; Cytokines; Eosinophilia - diagnostic imaging; Eosinophilia - pathology; Eosinophilia - physiopathology; eosinophilic bronchitis; Female; FEV1; Forced Expiratory Volume - physiology; forced expiratory volume in 1 second; forced vital capacity; FVC; high resolution computed tomography; Humans; Inflammation; Male; Medical imaging; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Morphology; Observer Variation; Pneumology; Smooth muscle; Studies; Tomography, Spiral Computed - methods; Vital Capacity - physiology; WA; Lung disease; Respiratory disease; Bronchus disease; Cardiovascular disease; Bronchitis; Obstructive pulmonary disease; Eosinophil; Comparative study; Asthma
• ISSN: 0040-6376; 1468-3296
• DOI: 10.1136/thx.2005.044420

Background: Airway hyperresponsiveness in asthmatics is considered to be one of the major consequences of airway inflammation and remodelling. Airway responsiveness is normal in patients with eosinophilic bronchitis (EB), despite eosinophilic inflammation of the airways comparable to that which occurs in asthmatics. Comparisons between asthma and EB should clarify the changes in airway morphology that are related specifically to AHR in asthmatics. Methods: Eighteen asthmatic patients, 15 patients with EB, and 11 healthy subjects were recruited. Airway wall area percentage (WA%), centrilobular prominence, and air trapping were compared using thin slice section computed tomography. Results: WA% was significantly greater in asthmatics than in patients with EB (72 (3.1)% v 54 (2.1)%, p = 0.032) and was similar in EB patients and controls (54 (2.1)% v 57 (1.8)%, p>0.05). Centrilobular prominence and air trapping were similar in EB patients and asthmatics and were significantly greater than in controls. Conclusion: WA% rather than air trapping or centrilobular prominence may be associated with the airway hyperresponsiveness that occurs in asthmatics but not in patients with EB.