RADIOGRAPHIC FEATURES IN 1016 ADULTS ADMITTED TO HOSPITAL WITH ACUTE ASTHMA

A retrospective review was carried out of the radiographic features of 1016 adults admitted to hospital with acute asthma over a 4-year time period. The radiographic features were classified into five groups: ( I) normal, 536 patients (52.9%); (II) features compatible with obstruc tive lung disease, 323 patients (31.8%); (III) complications of asthma including infection, segmental or greater atelectasis, one case of pn eumomediastinum and one case of pneumothorax, 83 patients (8.2%); (IV) unimportant incidental findings, six cases (0.6%); and (V) important incidental findings including tuberulosis, heart failure, and bronchia l neoplasm, 68 cases (6.7%). We conclude that in this large series of patients presenting with asthma symptoms severe enough to merit admiss ion there is an incidence of clinically significant radiographic abnor malities of approximately 15%. Admission chest radiography is therefor e indicated in adults who are hospitalized with acute asthma.