In addition we will also obtain above studies in asthmatics during naturally occuring exacerbation of asthma and following treatment. If available, results of lung function studies including measurements of lung elastic recoil will be compared to pathologic analyses of formalin fixed, air inflated lungs obtained at autopsy in asthmatics who die from asthma related or non-asthma related death. This kind of lung structure-function study will provide potential mechanism(s) to explain the loss of lung elastic recoil in acute and chronic asthmatics who are non-smokers. We will also obtain voxel quantification of high resolution thin section CT of lung obtained without IV contrast. Also, we will use fiberoptic bronchoscopy to obtain optical coherence tomography in stable asthmatics with mild to moderate to severe expiratory airflow limitation to assess integrity of the lung parenchyma.
