Chest radiographs in cystic fibrosis. A follow-up study with application of a quantitative system.

A modified Chrispin-Norman score was used to investigate at what age typical X-ray signs of cystic fibrosis (CF) appear and for the follow-up of patient with CF. Scores of patients with chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD) and with innocent heart murmurs were used for comparison. The findings were: 1. Hyperinflation and line shadows are early but not specific symptoms of CF. 2. Mottled and ring shadows can be considered as specific for CF. In most patients they only appear after the age of 3. They are never present in COLD. 3. The mean annual increase between the ages of 3--8 is 2 points. No difference existed between boys and girls in total scores and annual increase up to the age of puberty. 4. CF patients with portal hypertension have the same scores as CF patients without portal hypertension.