Diagnosis of emphysema

Klein JS, Gamsu G, Webb WR, Golden JA, Muller NL (1992) High-resolution CT diagnosis of emphysema in symptomatic patients with normal chest radiographs and isolated low diffusing capacity. Radiology 182 817-821... 

The histopathological definition of emphysema (i.e. abnormal, permanent enlargement of the air spaces distal to the terminal bronchiole, accompanied by destruction of their walls but without obvious fibrosis) is cumbersome but emphasises the importance of identifying parenchymal destruction before a pathological diagnosis of emphysema can be made (Snider et al. 1985). 

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