Scoping Review Maps Automated CT Scoring for CF and PCD

A scoping review published in BMC Pulmonary Medicine synthesizes findings from 50 peer-reviewed articles to evaluate the current state of automated computed tomography (CT) scoring techniques for assessing structural lung disease. The study focuses specifically on patients with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) and Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD), two rare genetic disorders that primarily affect the respiratory system and can lead to bronchiectasis.

Thoracic chest CT imaging is widely used to assess structural lung disease in both CF and PCD patients. These conditions share similar symptoms, including recurrent lung infections, cough, and difficulties in clearing mucus. To standardize the evaluation of these structural changes, semi-quantitative and quantitative scoring tools have been developed for diagnosis, monitoring progression, and evaluating treatment responses. However, the manual scoring procedure associated with these tools is described as time-consuming, tedious, and subjective. Its accuracy depends on the expertise and experience of the radiologist performing the analysis.

Advances in artificial intelligence have led to the introduction of several automated CT scoring techniques in the scientific literature. The review synthesizes these developments to assess trends in automated CT scoring for structural lung changes in patients with CF and PCD. The primary goal of the synthesis is to identify existing challenges in developing clinical-grade systems and to propose future research directions that can advance the current research toward mature technology. The authors highlight that the attention given to this specific topic remains relatively low from both the algorithmic development perspective and in terms of data availability.

Only two of the included studies focused specifically on Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia, while the majority addressed Cystic Fibrosis. Furthermore, the review reports that no regulatory-approved solutions for automated CT scoring in this context have been reported so far.

This manuscript summarizes the existing progress, the trends compared to relevant fields, the research gaps and the future research avenues. The authors provide insights for both researchers and clinicians on the pathway toward developing such systems for structural lung disease evaluation in CF and PCD.

Subject of Research: Automated CT scoring techniques for structural lung disease in cystic fibrosis and primary ciliary dyskinesia

Article Title: Automated methods for assessing structural lung disease in patients with cystic fibrosis and primary ciliary dyskinesia: a scoping review

Article References: Fante, K. A., Anagnostopoulou, P., Yiallouros, P., Robinson, P., & Vavourakis, V. (2026). Automated methods for assessing structural lung disease in patients with cystic fibrosis and primary ciliary dyskinesia: a scoping review. BMC Pulmonary Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12890-026-04857-0

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.1186/s12890-026-04857-0

Keywords: Cystic Fibrosis, Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia, Computed Tomography, Artificial Intelligence, Scoping Review, Lung Disease, Medical Imaging, Radiology, Automated, methods, assessing, structural