Edwin J. R. Van Beek, MD, PhD

This question deserves a broad answer, considering how much has changed since the old high-resolution CT (HRCT) scans with 1-mm slices and 1-cm intervals.1-3 The advent of multidetector row CT has had a significant effect on the versatility and diagnostic capabilities of CT in general. Coupled with novel processes of image postprocessing-including quantification of lung disease using advanced software-the availability of multiplanar projections and the opportunity to perform virtual bronchoscopy have led to an improvement in what is available for the evaluation of COPD.