[Computed tomography of bronchiectasis].

Twenty-six patients with suspected bronchiectasis were examined by bronchography and CT and the CT appearances of normal and abnormal bronchi are described. Like bronchography, CT will distinguish between cylindrical and cystic bronchiectasis. Lobar and segmental localisation can be reliably achieved by both methods; there was agreement between these methods in 109 out of 114 lobes and in 391 out 468 segments. In our experience the sensitivity of CT in the diagnosis of bronchiectasis is 93% and specificity is 96%. It is possible to obtain the necessary information, i.e. the existence and localisation of bronchiectasis by means of CT.