Value of chest radiographs in severe acute asthma.
Chest radiographs were obtained in 117 adults admitted with severe acute asthma. In 10 (9%) patients abnormalities were seen that affected management and in nine the presence of pulmonary collapse or consolidation was shown which was not detected by clinical examinations. Over-inflation was common and correlated significantly with tachycardia, pulsus paradoxus and decrease in FEV1. Bronchial wall thickening was common and prominence of hilar vessels was also noted in a few patients. Chest radiography is strongly recommended in severe exacerbation of asthma and antero-posterior views are adequate for interpretation.
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008478:Mediastinal Emphysema / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D001261:Pulmonary Atelectasis / Q000209:etiology; D011859:Radiography