Using Lateral Decubitus Computed Tomography (CT) to Monitor Structural Lung Disease in Young Children With Cystic Fibrosis

Objectives: Cystic fibrosis (CF) structural lung disease is monitored using chest computed tomography scans (cCTs) during breath-hold commands. In non-compliant children, cCTs are performed either by free breathing or using a pressure-controlled protocol under general anesthesia, both resulting in expiratory scans near FRC and not residual volume (RV). cCTs taken in lateral decubitus position is thought to result in expiratory scans near RV despite free breathing, due to compression of the lung. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility and sensitivity of lateral decubitus CT to detect structural lung disease in preschool children with CF.