BOF:
15
A 54-year-old male with
known chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is breathless on minimal exertion
and is almost incapacitated by this. Chest X-ray has demonstrated the presence
of large emphysematous bullae.
In this patient you would arrange a CT scan of his chest for the following
reason.
a) To exclude a co-existent lung cancer
b) To exclude co-existent heart failure
c) To document the presence of bronchiectasis
d) To determine the distribution of the emphysema
e) To detect co-existent pulmonary emboli
Answer:
d)
This patient has
incapacitating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and has emphysematous
bullae.
This patient will be considered for lung volume reduction surgery.
The distribution of the emphysema is an important variable when lung volume
reduction surgery is being considered
