Keywords:
CT, Conventional radiography, Thorax, Respiratory system, Cardiac, Computer Applications-Detection, diagnosis, Congenital
Authors:
M. Coronella, P. V. Foti, G. vasta, V. Guarrera, M. CAVALLARO, S. Bonomo, L. LUCERI, C. SCIFO, G. C. Ettorre; Catania/IT
DOI:
10.1594/ecr2011/C-0891
Conclusion
The probability or diagnostic suspicion of PCD increases when patients have had chronic respiratory infections since birth and present situs inversus.
In a subset of patients with KS,
sinus x-rays,
sinus CT scan and chest x-rays and high-resolution CT of the chest findings were highlighted in terms of more accurate delineation of the distribution and nature of chronic respiratory disease secondary to failure of the mucociliary clearance apparatus.
These findings may help in the evaluation of patients with a KS phenotype.
Unless appropriate management guidelines are established,
the morbidity from KS can be considerable,
from recurrent respiratory infections associated with progressive lung function impairment to chest surgery.
Therefore,
we urge further research to determine whether images studies might result in clinical benefits to the affected individual.
In this study,
we did not extensively discuss the potential risks associated with the radiation,
which may become important especially when multiple follow-up studies are obtained in children.
In conclusion,
it is believed that KS should be taken into consideration in the differential diagnosis of patients with chronic infections of the respiratory tract.
The ultimate reason to study HRCT scanning in PCD patients is to determine its clinical value and its potential as an outcome parameter.