The role of radiological imaging in the management of severe and difficult-to-treat asthma

Radiological imaging has proven to be a useful tool in the assessment of asthma, its comorbidities and potential complications. Characteristic chest radiograph and computed tomography scan findings can be seen in asthma and in other conditions that can coexist with or be misdiagnosed as asthma, including chronic rhinosinusitis, inducible laryngeal obstruction, excessive dynamic airway collapse, tracheobronchomalacia, concomitant COPD, bronchiectasis, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, and eosinophilic pneumonia. The identification of the characteristic radiological findings of these conditions is often essential in making the correct diagnosis and provision of appropriate management and treatment. Furthermore, radiological imaging modalities can be used to monitor response to therapy.