Recent advances in computed tomography as a diagnostic tool for COPD

: The diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(CODP) has been mainly based on the physiologic impairment(obstructive ventilatory disturbance). However, recent advances in computed tomography including high resolution, helical and multi-detector CTs have made it possible to diagnose patients with CODP morphologically by identifying low attenuation areas on CT. In addition, airway dimensions including luminal area and airway wall thickness have been measurable. CT is now an useful tool for exploring not only parenchymal but also airway abnormality in COPD. These progresses in CT could contribute to elucidate the etiology of COPD, divide COPD patients into two groups, emphysema-dominant and airway disease-dominant patients, and treat them separately.