Digital X-ray radiography capabilities in the assessment of the morphological and functional lung status in patients with chronic bronchitis

The results of digital X-ray radiography of the thoracic organs in 109 patients with chronic bronchitis were analyzed. Non-obstructive chronic bronchitis (CB) was detected in 60 patients, chronic obstructive bronchitis (COB) - in 49 patients. Digital X-ray radiography is found to be used for diagnosis of CB and COB as it enables to detect both morphological (interstitial fibrosis, infiltrates in the lung tissue) and functional changes (hypoventilation, emphysematous manifestations, hemodynamic disorders in the pulmonary circulation). In case of suspicion of COB, high resolution computed tomography only will allow to detect initial changes in smaller bronchi.