II. Indications
- Initial Asthma diagnosis
- Low yield in acute Asthma Exacerbations
- Abnormal findings at presentation: 5%
- Abnormal findings if no improvement in 12 hours: 34%
-
Status Asthmaticus or no acute Asthma improvement
- Excludes other diagnoses
- Excludes complications
III. Findings
- Increased Bronchial wall markings (most characteristic)
- Associated with thicker Bronchial wall, inflammation
- Flattening of diaphragm
- Associated with chronic inflammation
- Associated with accessory Muscle use
- Hyperinflation (variably present)
- Patchy infiltrates (variably present) from Atelectasis