Effectiveness of Low-Dose Erythromycin Therapy in Diffuse Panbronchiolitis: Assessment with Serial Changes on High-Resolution CT and Pulmonary Function Test

chronic inflammation manifests mainly in the region of the respiratory bronchiole between the terminal bronchiole and the pulmonary parenchyma (1). Its clinical onset usually occurs after the age of 40 or 50, and men are more commonly affected than women. Patients often have a past history of chronic paranasal sinusitis. Insidious and chronic expectoration of purulent sputum is found in the early stages of the disease, and progressive exertional dyspnea appears later. In the late stages, large amounts of purulent sputum and severe bronchiolar dilatation are present. Finally, patients succumb to respiratory failure (2). J Korean Radiol Soc 2003;48:467-473