Contrast-enhanced studies offer improved visualization of cardiopulmonary vasculature, mediastinal structures, and soft-tissue abnormalities [35], although MRI is developing a more consistent role for the latter. For the majority of studies, however, the noncontrast technique appears to be adequate. Chest CT is more sensitive than chest radiographs for the evaluation of most pulmonary abnormalities as well as mediastinal, cardiac, and chest wall findings, combining improved soft-tissue contrast and anatomical localization. This was demonstrated in a few small studies included in our literature review [3,32,36]. Chest CT is considered the reference standard for the noninvasive diagnosis of bronchiectasis [37] as well as of interstitial lung disease. CT abnormalities have been described in patients with chronic cough. Truba et al [3] performed a retrospective analysis of patients with chronic cough with negative initial chest radiograph findings, reporting 21 out of 59 patients with CT abnormalities believed to be relevant to chronic cough. The authors identified bronchiectasis and Chronic Cough Other studies showed a lack of association between cough symptoms and chest CT findings. Ooi et al [6] was unable to correlate respiratory symptom exacerbation (including cough symptoms) with HRCT findings of small airways abnormality, mosaic attenuation, and bronchial wall thickening in 60 patients with CT-proven bronchiectasis, although there was association between CT findings and sputum production and PFT abnormality. Wilsher et al [40], in a prospective analysis of 60 consecutive patients newly diagnosed with RA, demonstrated that bronchiectasis was prevalent in up to 48% of patients, despite only 30% of patients presenting with respiratory complaints. There was no association between the cough symptoms and bronchiectasis, although there was a statistically significant association for dyspnea symptoms.
Chronic Cough. Contrast-enhanced studies offer improved visualization of cardiopulmonary vasculature, mediastinal structures, and soft-tissue abnormalities [35], although MRI is developing a more consistent role for the latter. For the majority of studies, however, the noncontrast technique appears to be adequate. Chest CT is more sensitive than chest radiographs for the evaluation of most pulmonary abnormalities as well as mediastinal, cardiac, and chest wall findings, combining improved soft-tissue contrast and anatomical localization. This was demonstrated in a few small studies included in our literature review [3,32,36]. Chest CT is considered the reference standard for the noninvasive diagnosis of bronchiectasis [37] as well as of interstitial lung disease. CT abnormalities have been described in patients with chronic cough. Truba et al [3] performed a retrospective analysis of patients with chronic cough with negative initial chest radiograph findings, reporting 21 out of 59 patients with CT abnormalities believed to be relevant to chronic cough. The authors identified bronchiectasis and Chronic Cough Other studies showed a lack of association between cough symptoms and chest CT findings. Ooi et al [6] was unable to correlate respiratory symptom exacerbation (including cough symptoms) with HRCT findings of small airways abnormality, mosaic attenuation, and bronchial wall thickening in 60 patients with CT-proven bronchiectasis, although there was association between CT findings and sputum production and PFT abnormality. Wilsher et al [40], in a prospective analysis of 60 consecutive patients newly diagnosed with RA, demonstrated that bronchiectasis was prevalent in up to 48% of patients, despite only 30% of patients presenting with respiratory complaints. There was no association between the cough symptoms and bronchiectasis, although there was a statistically significant association for dyspnea symptoms.