Clinical utility of surveillance computed tomography scans in infants with cystic fibrosis

Abstract

Background: In cystic fibrosis (CF), irreversible lung disease arises in early life, and is often asymptomatic and unrecognised. Chest computed tomography (CT) scans have been used to detect asymptomatic lung disease in research; however, the clinical utility of chest CT is unknown. This study aimed to determine the effect of surveillance CT in early life on the clinical management of patients with CF. Working Hypothesis: Surveillance CT in early life changes the management of patients with CF. Methods: A medical record review of patients in the AREST-CF cohort who had chest CT at 1 and 3 years of age was performed. Information extracted included CT scan findings and the effect of CT results..