COPD

What does it mean when your CT scan states "The lung bases demonstrate increased volume consistent with COPD"
Thank You
tugar1288

[National Jewish]

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) lungs have areas of emphysema.  Air is trapped in these areas causing hyperinflation that is seen as enlargement of the lung.  This is what is referred to as increased volume.  This finding is consistent with, but not diagnostic of COPD.  You should have pulmonary function tests (PFTs) done to know for sure if you have COPD.

[Verysickman]

While many people use the term COPD and emphysema interchangeably, you can have COPD without having emphysema.  Since I also have emphysema, I can only wish that I "only" had COPD.