Cystic fibrosis chest x ray

In cystic fibrosis the chest radiographic features may overlap with many other disorders, particularly those characterized by inflammatory or destructive changes of the airways. Atelectasis is common in infancy. Most patients with CF demonstrate some of the classic chest radiographic findings that reflect chronic bronchiectasis, including hyperinflation, peribronchial thickening and dilatation, peribronchial cuffing, mucoid impaction, cystic radiolucencies, increase in interstitial marking, and scattered nodular densities.

• In cystic fibrosis chest radiographs may be normal early in life.
• The chest radiographic features may overlap with many other disorders, particularly those characterized by inflammatory or destructive changes of the airways.
• Hyperinflation due to mucus plugging of small bronchioles is the earliest radiographic sign of cystic fibrosis in infants and children.
• Atelectasis (especially in right upper lobe) is common in infancy.^[1]

• Most patients with CF demonstrate some of the classic chest radiographic findings that reflect chronic bronchiectasis:^[2][3]
  • Hyperinflation
  • Bronchial thickening and dilatation
  • Peribronchial cuffing
  • Mucoid impaction
  • Cystic radiolucencies
  • Increase in interstitial markings
  • Scattered nodular densities
• Abdominal x ray may show dilated loops of bowel.

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