II. Indications

  1. Initial Asthma diagnosis
  2. Low yield in acute Asthma Exacerbations
    1. Abnormal findings at presentation: 5%
    2. Abnormal findings if no improvement in 12 hours: 34%
  3. Status Asthmaticus or no acute Asthma improvement
    1. Excludes other diagnoses
      1. Congestive Heart Failure
      2. Pneumonia
    2. Excludes complications
      1. Pneumothorax
      2. Pneumomediastinum

III. Findings

  1. Increased Bronchial wall markings (most characteristic)
    1. Associated with thicker Bronchial wall, inflammation
  2. Flattening of diaphragm
    1. Associated with chronic inflammation
    2. Associated with accessory Muscle use
  3. Hyperinflation (variably present)
  4. Patchy infiltrates (variably present) from Atelectasis

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