Pathology.—Centrilobular emphysema is characterized by destroyed centrilobular alveolar walls and enlargement of respiratory bronchioles and associated alveoli (42,43). This is the commonest form of emphysema in cigarette smokers.
CT scans.—CT findings are centrilobular areas of decreased attenuation, usually without visible walls, of nonuniform distribution and predominantly located in upper lung zones (44) (Fig 18). The term centriacinar emphysema is synonymous. (See also emphysema.) [Fleischner Society]