Frequency of Incidental Ageing-Related Lung Findings in an Elderly Population: A Saudi Teleradiology CT Study

Objectives: To assess the frequency of ageing-related lung changes seen on computed tomography (CT) chest examinations performed on teleradiology cohort of elderly patients.

Materials and Methods: An experienced radiologist retrospectively assessed at a 3-month worth of teleradiology data of CT chest, abdomen and pelvis performed for detection or staging of malignancy is in asymptomatic patients 60 years old and older, residing in Saudi Arabia. Patients with known smoking history or obscuring abnormalities were excluded. Lung windows were analyzed to detect bronchial wall thickening, mosaic attenuation, linear scars, reticulations and pneumatocoeles. Bronchial thickening and mosaic attenuation were stratified by severity, while the scars and pneumatocoeles were stratified by number.

Results: A total of 26 cases were collected out of 137 patients, with a mean age of 67 years old (61% males). Bronchial wall thickening was detected and 56%, with 35% being of moderate degree. Mosaic attenuation was detected in 26%, with 70% being of mild degree. Linear scarring was seen and 61%, in the absence of reticulations. Pneumatocoeles were detected in 26%, with 22% being more than 2 in numbers.

Conclusion: In a select teleradiology cohort of asymptomatic CT chest imaging in elderly patients, bronchial wall thickening, mosaic attenuation, linear scarring pneumatocoeles are frequently encountered. Such findings should not lead to clinical or imaging misinterpretations.