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Imaging in alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency: a window into the disease.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Huang, Y-CT; Wencker, M; Driehuys, B
Published in: Ther Adv Chronic Dis
2021

Imaging modalities such as plain chest radiograph and computed tomography (CT) are important tools in the assessment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) of any etiology. These methods facilitate differential diagnoses and the assessment of individual lung pathologies, such as the presence of emphysema, bullae, or fibrosis. However, as emphysema is the core pathological consequence in the lungs of patients with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD), and because AATD is associated with the development of other lung pathologies such as bronchiectasis, there is a greater need for patients with AATD than those with non-AATD-related COPD to undergo more detailed assessment using CT. In the field of AATD, CT provides essential information regarding the presence, distribution, and morphology of emphysema. In addition, it offers the option to quantify the extent of emphysema. These data have implications for treatment decisions such as initiation of alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) therapy, or suitability for surgical or endoscopic interventions for reducing lung volume. Furthermore, CT has provided vital insight regarding the natural history of emphysema progression in AATD, and CT densitometry has underpinned research into the efficacy of AAT therapy. Moving forward, hyperpolarized xenon gas (129Xe) lung magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is emerging as a promising complement to CT by adding comprehensive measures of regional lung function. It also avoids the main disadvantage of CT: the associated radiation. This chapter provides an overview of technological aspects of imaging in AATD, as well as its role in the management of patients and clinical research. In addition, perspectives on the future potential role of lung MRI in AATD are outlined.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

Ther Adv Chronic Dis

DOI

ISSN

2040-6223

Publication Date

2021

Volume

12_suppl

Start / End Page

20406223211024523

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • 4203 Health services and systems
  • 3214 Pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences
  • 3202 Clinical sciences
 

Citation

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Huang, Y.-C., Wencker, M., & Driehuys, B. (2021). Imaging in alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency: a window into the disease. Ther Adv Chronic Dis, 12_suppl, 20406223211024524. https://doi.org/10.1177/20406223211024523
Huang, Yuh-Chin Tony, Marion Wencker, and Bastiaan Driehuys. “Imaging in alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency: a window into the disease.Ther Adv Chronic Dis 12_suppl (2021): 20406223211024524. https://doi.org/10.1177/20406223211024523.
Huang Y-CT, Wencker M, Driehuys B. Imaging in alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency: a window into the disease. Ther Adv Chronic Dis. 2021;12_suppl:20406223211024524.
Huang, Yuh-Chin Tony, et al. “Imaging in alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency: a window into the disease.Ther Adv Chronic Dis, vol. 12_suppl, 2021, p. 20406223211024524. Pubmed, doi:10.1177/20406223211024523.
Huang Y-CT, Wencker M, Driehuys B. Imaging in alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency: a window into the disease. Ther Adv Chronic Dis. 2021;12_suppl:20406223211024524.
Journal cover image

Published In

Ther Adv Chronic Dis

DOI

ISSN

2040-6223

Publication Date

2021

Volume

12_suppl

Start / End Page

20406223211024523

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • 4203 Health services and systems
  • 3214 Pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences
  • 3202 Clinical sciences