CT Findings of Asthma and Asthma-Mimicking Conditions

Asthma is a disorder that requires imaging to assess disease severity, complications, and atypical presentations. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) has become increasingly valuable in identifying imaging features of asthma and structural mimickers. Asthma typically demonstrates bronchial wall thickening, mosaic attenuation, and air trapping. Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia is characterized by peripheral ground-glass opacities and consolidations. Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis presents with central bronchiectasis, mucus plugging, and high-attenuation mucus. Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis reveals nonspecific findings. Excessive central airway collapse is characterized by dynamic tracheal narrowing. Diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia is marked by multiple small nodules and mosaic attenuation. Recognizing the differences between the aforementioned entities may decrease time to diagnosis and subsequently time to treatment.