Chest Imaging in Cystic Fibrosis

Targeted CE per ARRT’s Discipline, Category, and Subcategory classification for enrollments starting after February 10, 2026:
[Note: Discipline-specific Targeted CE credits may be less than the total Category A credits approved for this course.]

Computed Tomography: 3.00
Procedures: 3.00
Neck and Chest: 3.00

Radiography: 0.75
Procedures: 0.75
Thorax and Abdomen Procedures: 0.75

Registered Radiologist Assistant: 3.00
Procedures: 3.00
Thoracic Section: 3.00

Outline

1. Introduction
2. Diagnosis of CF
3. Monitoring Disease Progression
   1. Physiologic Monitoring
   2. Chest Radiography
   3. Computed Tomography
   4. Emerging Technologies
4. Pulmonary Exacerbation
5. Cardiopulmonary Complications
   1. Atelectasis and Lobar or Whole-Lung Collapse
   2. Pneumothorax
   3. Infection and Superinfection
      1. Chronic Endobronchial Infection
      2. Aspergillus Species-Related Lung Disease
      3. NTM Infection in Patients with Known CF
      4. NTM Infection in Patients without Known CF
   4. Pulmonary Hypertension
   5. Hemoptysis
6. Advanced CF Lung Disease
7. Lung Transplant
8. Highly Effective Modulator Therapy
9. Proposed Updates to Imaging Guidelines in the Age of HEMT
10. Conclusion

Objectives

Upon completion of this course, students will:

1. list the factors in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator that can lead to dehydrated mucous secretions and decreased mucociliary clearance from epithelial surfaces
2. recall the percent of death of patients with CF in 2022 associated with respiratory and transplant-related mortalities
3. state the prolonged predicted survival age of patients receiving pharmacologic management of CF
4. state what percent of patients aged 12 years or older were prescribed highly effective modulator therapy in 2022
5. list how many CF transmembrane conductance regulator mutations are currently described in the CFTR2 database
6. choose the classes of mutations that cause the majority of cases of clinically apparent CF
7. describe the type of patients that are diagnosed with CF
8. describe the characteristics of CF
9. define exacerbation as it relates to CF
10. list the tools used for tracking the progression of CF
11. choose the primary technique used for physiologic monitoring of CF
12. choose the correct forced expiratory volume associated with monitoring disease severity and progression of CF
13. define lung clearance index
14. write the lung clearance index formula
15. choose the modality that offers an inexpensive and accessible means of monitoring disease progression in CF
16. recall the agency that currently recommends baseline frontal chest radiography within the first 3–6 months of life and again within the first 2 years of life in patients with CF
17. recall the agency that currently recommends that chest radiography be performed on an annual basis and at times of pulmonary exacerbation in both children and adults
18. list the imaging markers for CF identified on chest radiographs
19. list the chest imaging scoring systems for identification of CF
20. state the main disadvantage of standard multi-detector row CT
21. list the baseline CT findings in patients with early CF
22. state year the Brody system was first published
23. chose the modality enables assessment of ventilation, inflammation, perfusion, and structure in a single examination
24. list the chest radiography findings for pulmonary exacerbation
25. choose the most frequently used imaging modality in the setting of pulmonary exacerbation
26. recall the percent of CF patients that experience atelectasis and lobar collapse
27. list the possible causes of idiopathic lung collapse
28. recall the percent of CF patients that experience pneumothorax over their lifetime
29. choose the most common organism that colonizes both the airways and the sinuses in patients with CF
30. recall the approximate number of B cepacia species
31. list the imaging findings suggestive of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis
32. state the number of species of nontuberculous bacteria
33. define cor pulmonale
34. describe the products used for bronchial artery embolization
35. list how the CF Foundation defines advanced CF lung disease