Clinical utility of CT in children with persistent focal chest abnormality

Abstract

To the Editors: We read with interest the article by Li et al . 1 on the contribution of computed tomography (CT) in determining aetiological diagnosis of noncystic fibrosis (CF) bronchiectasis, and in leading to a change in management. We carried out a prospective study in 50 children (26 males; median age: 7.45 yrs, range: 12 months to 17 yrs) with chronic cough for >3 months and persistent focal chest abnormality on at least two conventional chest radiographs (CCR) made at intervals of ≥3 months. We aimed to assess what additional information CT (alone or combined with clinical findings and further diagnostic tests) provides, and to determine whether gaining such new information influences the clinical management. Sweat test, leukocytes blood count and purified protein derivative test for tuberculosis, electrocardiogram and Doppler echocardiography were normal or negative in all cases. Seven patients were affected by primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), five had previously undergone oesophageal atresia repair, three had common variable immunodeficiency and two were affected by Down's …