Imaging of Cystic Fibrosis Lung Disease

Imaging of the lung has become increasingly important to detect and monitor structural lung damage related to CF lung disease. Initially, chest radiography was the most important technique used. However, the sensitivity and specificity of chest radiography to detect relevant structural lung changes in the setting of CF lung disease is suboptimal. For this reason, many CF centers now use chest computed tomography (CT) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as part of the annual check-up to diagnose and monitor structural lung changes starting in the pre-school age. Scoring systems and automated image analysis software are now available to quantify clinically relevant structural changes, such as bronchiectasis and airway wall thickening on chest CT. Investigators have utilized chest CT outcomes for primary outcome measures in clinical studies. Chest MRI is used as a radiation-free alternative for CT to image structural lung changes. Chest MRI also allows assessment of functional qualiti...