Areas of Decreased Parenchymal Attenuation Associated with Bronchiectasis: Correlation between Severity and Extent of Bronchiectasis on HRCT with Pulmonary Function Test

Purpose: To determine the correlation between areas of decreased parenchymal attenuation seen in cases of bronchiectasis, and the severity and extent of the condition, as revealed by HRCT and the plmonary function test (PFT). Materials and Methods: The findings of forty-five patients with bronchiectasis who had undergone PFT and HRCT were retrospectively analysed. CT scores were calculated according to the severity and extent of the condition, and areas of low attenuation, and the correlation coefficients between these were determined. Bronchiectasis was classified as either cylindrical or cystic, and using Student’s t test, the statistical significance of the results of the PFT were determined. Results: The severity and extent of bronchiectasis correlated with the extent of areas of low attenuation (r > .45, p .44, p