Chest radiography may be useful for the initial evaluation of the lung parenchyma in conditions associated with bronchiectasis, but it provides limited characterization of severity and morphology of bronchiectasis. The 2010 British Thoracic Society guidelines for non-CF bronchiectasis recommend a baseline chest radiograph in all patients with suspected bronchiectasis but recommend repeat radiographs only if clinically warranted [40]. Radiography Neck There is no relevant literature to support the use of neck radiography for initial evaluation of suspected bronchiectasis. Variant 6: Adult. Bronchiectasis. Assessment of complications or treatment response. CT Chest With IV Contrast There is no relevant literature to support the use of chest CT with IV contrast in the evaluation of bronchiectasis complications or treatment response. CT chest with IV contrast may also be appropriate in the setting of suspected acute infection and associated complications such as abscess or necrosis. CT Chest Without and With IV Contrast There is no relevant literature to support the use of chest CT without and with IV contrast in the evaluation of bronchiectasis complications or treatment response. CT Chest Without IV Contrast Chest CT without IV contrast may be used to evaluate complications associated with bronchiectasis, including pneumonia and hemoptysis, and is often used in follow-up of conditions associated with bronchiectasis, such as chronic infections or interstitial lung diseases. Chest CT without IV contrast may be appropriate for assessing patients with known bronchiectasis and a change in clinical status to exclude pulmonary causes [40]. Chest CT without IV contrast can be used to quantify extent and severity of bronchiectasis with special software. A systematic review of 122 studies found 42 quantitative CT scoring methods in the research literature, including calculation of bronchial-arterial ratios, bronchial diameters, or bronchial surface area [43].
Tracheobronchial Disease. Chest radiography may be useful for the initial evaluation of the lung parenchyma in conditions associated with bronchiectasis, but it provides limited characterization of severity and morphology of bronchiectasis. The 2010 British Thoracic Society guidelines for non-CF bronchiectasis recommend a baseline chest radiograph in all patients with suspected bronchiectasis but recommend repeat radiographs only if clinically warranted [40]. Radiography Neck There is no relevant literature to support the use of neck radiography for initial evaluation of suspected bronchiectasis. Variant 6: Adult. Bronchiectasis. Assessment of complications or treatment response. CT Chest With IV Contrast There is no relevant literature to support the use of chest CT with IV contrast in the evaluation of bronchiectasis complications or treatment response. CT chest with IV contrast may also be appropriate in the setting of suspected acute infection and associated complications such as abscess or necrosis. CT Chest Without and With IV Contrast There is no relevant literature to support the use of chest CT without and with IV contrast in the evaluation of bronchiectasis complications or treatment response. CT Chest Without IV Contrast Chest CT without IV contrast may be used to evaluate complications associated with bronchiectasis, including pneumonia and hemoptysis, and is often used in follow-up of conditions associated with bronchiectasis, such as chronic infections or interstitial lung diseases. Chest CT without IV contrast may be appropriate for assessing patients with known bronchiectasis and a change in clinical status to exclude pulmonary causes [40]. Chest CT without IV contrast can be used to quantify extent and severity of bronchiectasis with special software. A systematic review of 122 studies found 42 quantitative CT scoring methods in the research literature, including calculation of bronchial-arterial ratios, bronchial diameters, or bronchial surface area [43].