Bronchomalacia in sarcoidosis: evaluation on volumetric expiratory high-resolution CT of the lung.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES:The aim of this study is to investigate the frequency of bronchomalacia associated with sarcoidosis and compare the extent of air trapping in patients with sarcoidosis with and without bronchomalacia. MATERIALS AND METHODS:Eighteen consecutive patients (6 men, 12 women; age, 29-64 years; mean age, 47 years) with pathologically proven sarcoidosis who underwent clinical volumetric expiratory high-resolution computed tomography were studied. On contiguous end-expiratory images, the presence and severity of bronchomalacia and extent of air trapping were evaluated. The extent of air trapping was compared between patients with sarcoidosis with and without bronchomalacia. RESULTS:Bronchomalacia was noted in 11 of 18 patients (61%) with sarcoidosis (grade 1 [mild], n = 6; grade 2 [moderate], n = 4; and grade 3 [severe], n = 1). Air trapping was observed in 17 of 18 patients (94%; grade 1 [1%-25%], n = 8; grade 2 [26%-50%], n = 9). The extent of air trapping in patients with bronchomalacia was significantly greater than that in patients without bronchomalacia (P = .027, chi-squared test). CONCLUSION:Bronchomalacia frequently was associated with sarcoidosis, and the extent of air trapping was significantly greater in patients with sarcoidosis with bronchomalacia compared with those without bronchomalacia.