title: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
abstract: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a generalized term commonly associated with emphysema and chronic bronchitis. These lung diseases are characterized by airflow obstruction in both the airways and alveoli resulting from inflammation and destruction of these structures. Progressive COPD results in increased difficulty in breathing, a variety of related physical symptoms, deteriorating quality of life and ultimately death. Like lung cancer, COPD is mainly linked to smoking. Imaging can help diagnose and evaluate the progression of COPD. The 3 imaging modalities that are used for COPD are radiography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance (MR). Of the 3, CT technology has proved to be the most useful, although that scenario may be changing.
authors.forename: Adi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferrara
mesh_terms: D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis*