Evolution of CT findings in patients with cystic fibrosis.

Abstract

Morphologic changes were minor within the first 18 months of follow-up compared with the period after 18 months. The increase of the overall score was significantly higher in groups with follow-up periods longer than 18 months compared with groups with follow-up periods shorter than 18 months. Various components of morphologic changes contributed to the sequential changes seen on the CT scans. All morphologic changes and the CT scores correlated significantly (p < .0001) with pulmonary function tests and clinical score. CONCLUSION. Serial CT scans allow assessment of the evolution of pulmonary abnormalities in patients with cystic fibrosis. CT seems to have advantages over pulmonary function tests and clinical scoring in the depiction of pulmonary changes over time.