title: Radiographic features in 1016 adults admitted to hospital with acute asthma.
abstract: A retrospective review was carried out of the radiographic features of 1016 adults admitted to hospital with acute asthma over a 4-year time period. The radiographic features were classified into five groups: (I) normal, 536 patients (52.9%); (II) features compatible with obstructive lung disease, 323 patients (31.8%); (III) complications of asthma including infection, segmental or greater atelectasis, one case of pneumomediastinum and one case of pneumothorax, 83 patients (8.2%); (IV) unimportant incidental findings, six cases (0.6%); and (V) important incidental findings including tuberulosis, heart failure, and bronchial neoplasm, 68 cases (6.7%). We conclude that in this large series of patients presenting with asthma symptoms severe enough to merit admission there is an incidence of clinically significant radiographic abnormalities of approximately 15%. Admission chest radiography is therefore indicated in adults who are hospitalized with acute asthma.
authors.affiliation: North Manchester General Hospital, Crumpsall.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Pickup
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Nee
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Randall
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006767:Hospitals, District; D006769:Hospitals, General; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors