Relation between abnormalities in the chest radiograph and changes in pulmonary function in chronic bronchitis and emphysema

Chest radiographs of 101 patients with chronic airflow obstruction were assessed for evidence of over-inflation (increased retrosternal space, low diaphragm, and increased total lung capacity), pulmonary hypertension (increase in size of heart and major pulmonary vessels) and attenuation of medium-sized pulmonary vessels. The radiological abnormalities were related to the alterations in pulmonary function. When the position of the diaphragm was …