Evaluation of obstructive lung disease with vibration response imaging.

As optimal treatment and prognosis differ between asthma and COPD, a new diagnostic approach to differentiating between the two disorders would be clinically desirable. We evaluated the utility of vibration response imaging in differentiating between asthma and COPD. Sixty-six subjects with asthma or COPD were recorded, before and after the administration of a short-acting bronchodilator, using a computerized lung sound analysis device.