Pulmonary involvement in sarcoidosis: CT findings at diagnosis and their changes at follow-up in cases without corticosteroid treatment]

To review the pulmonary CT findings in sarcoidosis at diagnosis, and to analyze the change in each finding at follow-up in cases without corticosteroid treatment. The study included 21 cases of pulmonary involvement of sarcoidosis. We analyzed the presence or absence and grade of each HRCT finding: bronchial wall thickening, enlargement of vascular shadows, pleural involvement, septal thickening, small nodules, ground-glass opacities, centrilobular opacities, consolidation, nodules, and volume loss. Afterwards, we compared the initial CT with the follow-up CT, and described the change of each finding as "improved" or "not improved". Furthermore, we decided if each case as a whole was improved or not after considering all of the pulmonary CT findings. Twelve of the 21 cases were improved. Small nodules, ground-glass opacities, centrilobular opacities, and nodules had improved in more than 50% of the cases since the initial CT. However, pleural involvement (10/11) and volume loss (6/9) were not improved. Pleural involvement and volume loss correlated the radiological irreversibility (p < 0.05). Of the several pulmonary CT findings in sarcoidosis, pleural involvement and volume loss show the highest rates of irreversible pulmonary changes.     

胸片结合CT诊断37例下肺结核的价值

目的探讨胸片结合cT诊断37例下肺结核的价值。方法分析37例下肺结核患者的临床资料，所有患者均行胸部和cT扫描检查，分析临床表现特点和影像学诊断价值。结果胸片诊断准确率70．27％（26例），其中14例密度不均的斑片状或小片状影，7例边缘模糊的大斑片致密影，5例空洞型，四周点片状、条索状影。cT扫描诊断准确率91．89％（34）例，精确显示空洞、卫星病灶、胸膜增厚、胸腔积液等。胸片结合cT诊断准确率97．30％（36例）。结论下肺结核胸片、cT扫描各有其影像学特点，两者结合可提高诊断准确率。     

Analysis of patients with middle lobe and lingular syndrome complicated with nontuberculous mycobacterosis, chronic sinusitis, or bronchopulmonary tuberculosis]

The clinical characteristics and chest CT scan findings in 77 cases of middle lobe and lingular syndrome, many of which were complicated with nontuberculous mycobacteriosis (21 cases, 27.3%), chronic sinusitis (16, 20.8%), or bronchopulmonary tuberculosis (11, 14.3%) are reported. Sixteen (76.2%) cases complicated with nontuberculous mycobacteriosis and 14 (87.5%) cases complicated with chronic sinusitis had granular shadows with dilated bronchi of both middle lobe and lingular in their chest CT scans. Granular shadows with a thickening of the bronchial wall or dilated bronchi were common characteristics of the chest CT scans of the patients with nontuberculous mycobacteriosis. However, cicatrization atelectasis of either middle lobe or lingular was the most common finding in patients with bronchopulmonary tuberculosis.     

Clinical and radiographic indices associated with airflow limitation in patients with sarcoidosis

BACKGROUND: Airflow limitation is found in some patients with sarcoidosis, and it is associated with a poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to investigate clinical and radiographic indices associated with airflow limitation in patients with sarcoidosis. METHODS: A prospective, observational study was performed on 228 consecutive sarcoidosis patients followed up at our patient clinic at the Central Clinic of Kyoto. Patients underwent pulmonary function tests, and high-resolution CT (HRCT) of the lung was evaluated for the presence of lymph node enlargement, lung opacity, reticular shadow, and thickening of bronchovascular bundles (BVB). Airflow limitation was defined as FEV(1)/FVC < 70%. Airway reversibility was tested in subjects with airflow limitation. The frequency of airflow limitation was evaluated, and clinical and radiographic parameters were compared between patients with and without airflow limitation. RESULTS: Among all 228 subjects, 20 subjects (8.8%) had airflow limitation, and none showed airway reversibility. Patients with airflow limitation were predominantly male, smokers, and had advanced chest radiographic stage, increased frequency of lung opacities, reticular shadows, and thickened BVB on HRCT. Stepwise regression analysis showed that chest radiographic stage IV, higher age, smoking, and thickened BVB were independently associated with lower FEV(1)/FVC. CONCLUSION: The frequency of airflow limitation was 8.8% in Japanese sarcoidosis patients. Chest radiographic stage IV, higher age, smoking, and thickened BVB were associated with airflow limitation in patients with sarcoidosis.     

A case of Sweet's syndrome with a variety of chest radiological findings]

We report a rare case of Sweet's syndrome (acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis) with a variety of chest radiological findings. A 73-year-old man, who had been treated with corticosteroid for Sweet's syndrome for 2 years, was admitted to our hospital because of pyrexia with a infiltrative chest shadow. Chest CT scans showed consolidation and ground-glass opacities with air-bronchogram in the right lower lobe. Treatment with antibiotics seemed to be effective but there was no improvement of chest shadows. Simultaneously with his pyrexia, diffuse centrilobular-micronodular shadows and a mass-like shadow appeared on chest CT after 2 months and after the next 2 months, respectively. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid contained increased neutrophils but not any infectious pathogen. Transbronchial lung biopsy specimens revealed chronic interstitial infiltrate with alveolar wall thickening and neutrophil accumulation in the airspace. A diagnosis of pulmonary involvement in a patient with Sweet's syndrome was finally made and he was successfully treated with corticosteroid.     

结节病胸部影像学特征及其治疗后的变化

目的 探讨结节病胸部CT特征及其治疗后的变化.方法 回顾分析上海市肺科医院2000年1月至2006年3月收治的、经病理证实的90例结节病患者的临床资料及胸部CT表现.90例中男32例,女58例,年龄31～71岁,其中43例复查CT 2～8次,间隔时间最短5 d,最长1个月.随访时间最短3个月,最长4年.结果 CT影像表现为结节69例(77%),主要沿支气管血管束分布37例(41%),团块31例(34%),磨玻璃影39例(43%),支气管血管束增粗30例(33%),小叶间隔线58例(64%),纤维化17例(19%,包括支气管变形8例,条索影5例,蜂窝影4例),空气潴留3例(3%),支气管狭窄8例(9%),胸膜改变42例(47%),肺门纵隔淋巴结增大76例(84%),肺部病变并存83例(92%).结节、团块、磨玻璃影、支气管血管束增粗的患者治疗后随访复查5 d至4年,好转例数分别为25例(25/30)、9例(9/15)、11例(11/16)及10例(10/12);小叶间隔线、支气管变形、条索影、蜂窝影吸收好转例数分别为10例(10/22)、0例(0/4)、1例(1/3)及0例(0/2).结论 结节病胸部CT表现形式多样,具有一定特征,治疗中CT追踪检查可提高确诊率,且有利于观察治疗效果;结节、团块、磨玻璃影、支气管血管束增粗的患者治疗后吸收明显,表现为线状影、支气管变形、弥漫条索影、蜂窝影的患者治疗后吸收不佳.     

A case of sarcoidosis with primary cavitation relapsing after the cessation of corticosteroid therapy]

We report a case of sarcoidosis in which primary pulmonary cavitation occurred during the administration of corticosteroid, and later relapsed after the cessation of corticosteroid treatment. A 24-year-old man, who had been diagnosed as having ocular sarcoidosis and was treated with corticosteroid, presented with multiple nodular shadows with enclosed a cavity on a chest radiograph. A chest CT scan showed mediastinal lymphadenopathy and multiple nodular opacities enclosing a cavity. Pathological findings from a transbronchial lung biopsy revealed non caseating epithelioid cell granulomas without any mycobacterial or fungal pathogen. The patient's general condition deteriorated three years after the discontinuation of corticosteroid therapy. After resumption of prednisolone (30 mg/day), clinical findings were improving.     

非黄型结节病21例临床分析

目的 提高对非典型结节病的认识,方法 回顾性分析了２１例非典型结节病的临床资料,所有病例以病理检查证实。结果 不典型结节病影像学可表现为：１）肺内病变;有孤立结节影,肺不张,单侧,双侧肺实变,双肺栗粒样结节。（２）单纯纵隔淋巴结变;有纵隔肿物,纵隔淋巴结肿大和单侧肺门淋巴结肿大,纵隔单纯淋巴结肿大。（３）胸膜病变;有液,气胸,胸膜增厚。（４）肺门病变：有单侧肺门淋巴 肿大和纵隔淋巴 肿大,双侧肺门     

尘肺并发肺结核的胸部CT表现分析

目的 探讨尘肺并发肺结核的胸部CT表现特点。方法 搜集2015年6月至2016年12月重庆市公共卫生医疗救治中心诊治的96例尘肺并发肺结核的住院患者,回顾性分析96例患者的临床及CT检查资料。对并发结核病变的发生部位、范围、形态、类型及并发其他脏器结核情况进行观察。结果 96例患者中,尘肺Ⅰ期1例,Ⅱ期23例,Ⅲ期72例。受累范围:多肺叶90例(93.8%)。发生部位:尖后段93例(96.9%),前段48例(50.0%),中叶或(和)舌段49例(51.0%),背段68例(70.8%),基底段53例(55.2%)。病变形态:斑片状影85例(88.5%),大片状影48例(50.0%),空洞64例(66.7%)[其中多发空洞占67.2%(43/64)],树芽征56例(58.3%),胸腔积液36例(37.5%),胸膜增厚72例(75.0%),纵隔淋巴结肿大85例(88.5%),纵隔淋巴结钙化58例(60.4%)。Ⅱ期尘肺患者薄壁空洞发生率为47.8%(11/23),高于Ⅲ期尘肺患者[15.3%(11/72)](χ ²=10.378,P<0.05)。Ⅲ期尘肺患者大片状影、树芽征、厚壁空洞、胸膜增厚、纵隔淋巴结肿大及钙化的发生率分别为59.7%(43/72)、69.4%(50/72)、56.9%(41/72)、83.3%(60/72)、93.1%(67/72)、69.4%(50/72),高于Ⅱ期尘肺患者[分别为21.7%(5/23)、26.1%(6/23)、8.7%(2/23)、52.2%(12/23)、78.3%(18/23)、34.8%(8/23)](χ ²值分别为10.061、13.541、14.489、9.224、4.051、8.808,P值均<0.05)。 结论 尘肺不同分期患者并发肺结核CT表现具有一定差异,以浸润灶为主,常伴有多发空洞、树芽征、胸腔积液、肺外结核等。     

非典型结节病21例临床分析

目的　提高对非典型结节病的认识。方法　回顾性分析了２１ 例非典型结节病的临床资料,所有病例均经病理检查证实。结果　不典型结节病影像学可表现为：（１）肺内病变：有孤立结节影,肺不张,单侧、双侧肺实变,双肺栗粒样结节。（２） 单纯纵隔淋巴结病变：有纵隔肿物,纵隔淋巴结肿大和单侧肺门淋巴结肿大,纵隔单纯淋巴结肿大。（３） 胸膜病变：有液、气胸,胸膜增厚。（４） 肺门病变：有单侧肺门淋巴结肿大和纵隔淋巴结肿大,双侧肺门淋巴结非对称性肿大, 单侧肺门淋巴结肿大钙化。结论　不典型结节病临床表现多种多样,影像学检查难以满足诊断需要。只有对结节病有足够认识,辅以其他检查,其诊断并不困难。     

Pulmonary involvement in mixed connective tissue disease: high-resolution CT findings in 41 patients

The objective of this study was to describe the pulmonary abnormalities on high-resolution computed tomography (CT) in patients with mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD). The study included 41 patients who met the diagnostic criteria for MCTD and showed abnormal findings on high-resolution CT. The presence, extent, and distribution of various high-resolution CT findings were evaluated. The predominant abnormalities included areas of ground-glass attenuation (n = 41), subpleural micronodules (n = 40), and nonseptal linear opacities (n = 32). Other common findings included peripheral predominance (n = 40), lower lobe predominance (n = 39), intralobular reticular opacities (n = 25), architectural distortion (n = 20), and traction bronchiectasis (n = 18). Less common findings included honeycombing, ill-defined centrilobular nodules, airspace consolidation, interlobular septal thickening, thickening of bronchovascular bundles, bronchial wall thickening, bronchiectasis, and emphysema. Pulmonary involvement of MCTD is characterized by the presence of ground-glass attenuation, nonseptal linear opacities, and peripheral and lower lobe predominance. Ill-defined centrilobular opacities were uncommonly seen.     

Respiratory manifestations of ankylosing spondylitis (50 cases)

Fifty patients with ankylosing spondylitis underwent radiography of the chest. In addition, 2 of them had bronchography, 3 had computerized tomography (CT) of the chest, 9 had respiratory function tests and 8 head ventilation/perfusion study by the Xenon method. Seven thoracic images were questionably specific of spondylitis, showing plural symphysis, strips of atelectasis, pleural thickening, apical pulmonary sclerosis and opacities of the diaphragmatic hilum. CT proved valuable in 1 case to confirm pulmonary fibrosis and in 2 cases to reveal that pleural thickening was continuous with an opacity ensheathing the vertebral body. In 7 out of 9 cases the functional restrictive deficit was accompanied by normal or supranormal functional residual capacity and increased residual volume. In all patients explored by the Xenon method, there was apical-caudal inversion of the ventilation/perfusion ratio. These findings suggest 3 pathogenic hypotheses: mere sequelae of hypoventilation, specific lung tissue fibrosis, extension by continuity of the vertebra-ensheathing process to the subpleural spaces.     

A case of pulmonary sarcoidosis with usual interstitial pneumonia-like lesions distributed predominantly in the lower lung fields]

In 2000, in a 75-year-old man, nodular and reticular opacities were detected in both lower lung fields. He was admitted to our hospital for further examination of these abnormal shadows. Bronchoscopic examination revealed pulmonary sarcoidosis. Prednisolone was prescribed because cardiac sarcoidosis was diagnosed as a clinical complication. In April 2002, the patient visited our hospital for dyspnea on effort. Chest radiography and computed tomography showed nodular and reticular opacities in the right upper lobe, and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery was performed on the basis of a histological diagnosis. The histological findings of the biopsied specimens revealed a lesion of the type seen in usual interstitial pneumonia, whereas non-caseous granulomas were not detected. His symptoms and chest radiographic findings improved and stabilized with prednisolone and azathioprine. In the present case of pulmonary sarcoidosis, the reticular and nodular opacities predominantly distributed in both lower lung fields, and the histological findings obtained by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery showed a usual interstitial pneumonia-like lesion. These findings may assist in the understanding of the process of development of pulmonary sarcoidosis.     

Churg-Strauss syndrome: high resolution CT and pathologic findings

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate high-resolution CT findings in 7 patients with Churg-Strauss syndrome and to compare the CT with the histopathologic findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: High-resolution CT scans of 7 asthmatic patients (4 women, 3 men, age range, 34-62 years, mean 49 years) with Churg-Strauss syndrome were reviewed by 2 observers. Histologic specimens of lung obtained at surgical (n = 3) or transbronchial (n = 3) biopsy or autopsy (n = 1) were reviewed by an expert lung pathologist. The diagnosis of Churg-Strauss was based on clinical, laboratory, and histologic findings. RESULTS: Parenchymal and airway abnormalities included ground-glass opacities (n = 5), areas of air-space consolidation (n = 4), centrilobular nodules (n = 5), nodules 1-3 cm in diameter (n = 3), interlobular septal thickening (n = 4), bronchial wall thickening (n = 4), and areas of atelectasis (n = 1). Surgical biopsy (n = 3) and autopsy (n = 1) specimens demonstrated airspace disease in 3 patients, interlobular septal thickening in 3 patients, and airway abnormalities in 2 patients. Histologically, the airspace disease included eosinophilic pneumonia (n = 2) and small foci of organizing pneumonia (n = 1). The septal thickening was due to edema combined with numerous (n = 2) or few (n = 1) eosinophils. The airway abnormalities (n = 2) included muscle hypertrophy and large airway wall necrosis (n = 1) and eosinophilic infiltration of the airway walls (n = 1). Transbronchial biopsy (n = 3) demonstrated increased eosinophils. CONCLUSION: The main high-resolution CT findings of Churg-Strauss syndrome consist of airspace consolidation or ground-glass opacities, septal lines, and bronchial wall thickening. These reflect the presence of eosinophilic infiltration of the airspaces, interstitium, and airways, and interstitial edema.     

A case of sub-acute onset pulmonary sarcoidosis with pulmonary dysfunction]

A 60-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of shortness of breath and dry cough. Slight pleural thickening was observed on the chest X-ray film and chest CT on presenting. Three months later, bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy and multiple small nodular shadows were shown in both lung fields by chest CT. Serum ACE level and lysozyme levels were higher than normal upper limit. Elevation of CRP and left shift of leukocytes were not detected. Restrictive ventilatory impairment was shown in the respiratory function test. This case was diagnosed as sarcoidosis most probably with histological evidence of epithelioid cell granulomas in the lung tissue obtained by transbronchial lung biopsy. After prednisolone medication (40 mg per day) was started, symptoms, pulmonary function and chest CT findings improved. Our case was considered to be a rare case of pulmonary sarcoidosis with subacute onset of symptoms and restrictive pulmonary function abnormality which improved smoothly as a result of steroid therapy.     

Analysis of chest radiographs of culture positive Legionella pneumonia in Japan, 1980-1990. Working Party for Legionellosis, Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare]

We analyzed the initial and follow-up chest radiographs of 28 patients with culture-positive Legionella pneumonia, and developed a scoring system to quantitate the severity of radiological findings for pneumonia. Intrapulmonary shadows were observed on the initial chest radiograph in 26 patients, but pleural effusion was noted in only one. In one patient the initial chest radiograph had probably been obtained too early to reveal any pulmonary change. Alveolar shadows were noted on the initial radiograph in 21 (81%) patients, and interstitial shadows in 5 (19%). In ten (38%) patients shadows were present in both lung fields. Shadows were prominent in the middle and lower lung fields. A cavity was noted in only one patient, and pleural effusion was also noted at some time during the clinical course in 19 (70%). A large amount of pleural effusion was observed in four patients. The average pneumonia severity score was 3.3 in the 9 patients who survived, and 5.1 in the 17 who died (p > 0.05). The mortality rate was 53% in the 17 patients with pneumonia severity score of 5 or less and 89% in the 9 patients with a score of 6 or more (p > 0.05). Twelve patients died within one week after the initial chest radiograph was obtained. There were no differences among patients with community-acquired infection with or without underlying disease and those with nosocomial infection in characteristic and extension of shadow, presence of pleural effusion, or pneumonia score. The chest radiograph of Legionella pneumonia include bilateral shadow findings characteristic, pleural effusion and rapid progression of shadow, and are clinically useful for diagnosis.     

Pulmonary T-cell lymphoma with pulmonary arterial hypertension

We report on a 73-year-old man with systemic lymphadenopathy and chest computed tomography (CT) findings of bilateral diffuse ground-glass opacities and interlobular septal thickening. He also had pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Several lymph node biopsies were attempted, without a definitive diagnosis. A thoracoscopic lung biopsy was performed, and the specimen was diagnosed as peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS). Lymphoma cells had invaded lung vessels, resulting in PAH. We should include pulmonary lymphoma in the differential diagnosis of patients with PAH and chest CT findings of diffuse ground-glass opacities and interlobular septal thickening.     

A case of sarcoidosis manifesting as annular opacities after multiple nodular shadows]

A 40-year old man was admitted to our hospital because nodular shadows in the right upper lung field had shown deterioration on chest radiographs during a regular check-up (Sep. 28, 2000). Transbronchial lung biopsy specimens showed findings compatible with sarcoidosis. During follow-up, the nodular shadows became bigger, spread in both lung fields and turned into multiple annular opacities. In December, lung biopsy specimens obtained by VATS showed central areas of ground-glass attenuation corresponding to areas of alveolar septal inflammation, in contrast to the denser periphery, where polypoid organized granulation tissue in peripheral air spaces predominated. After 2 months, the opacities disappeared without treatment. In our case, the annular opacities on CT corresponded histologically to BOOP. It is interesting to note the relationship between sarcoidosis and BOOP.     

Two cases of Mycoplasma pneumonia showing nodular shadows: computed tomographic findings

Two cases of Mycoplasmal pneumonia showing nodular shadows on roentgenogram, in a 31 year-old woman and a 28 year-old man, were reported. The consequence of a radiographical analysis reveals that the nodular shadows on the roentgenogram were revealed on CT by the thickness of the bronchoarterial bundles and the nodular opacities which had a cetriacinar or centrilobular distribution, at the ends of the branches of the pulmonary arteries and bronchi. These findings suggest that the pulmonary lesions of Mycoplasmal pneumonia were located in the peribronchial and periarterial interstitium and the bronchioles and their adjacent alveoli. CT is useful in the evaluation of nodular shadows on roentgenogram.     

Long-term remission of pulmonary veno-occlusive disease associated with primary Sjögren’s syndrome following immunosuppressive therapy

The patient described here is a 21-year-old Japanese woman with primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) presenting with worsening of dyspnea, palpitation, recurrent parotitis, and arthritis. Chest computed tomography showed diffuse interlobular septal thickening and ground-glass opacities. Right heart catheterization demonstrated pulmonary hypertension, right-sided heart failure, normal pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, and no evidence of arterio-venous shunt. Transbronchial lung biopsy showed luminal obliteration of pulmonary venules by intimal cellular proliferations, without abnormalities in the small pulmonary arteries. These findings were consistent with pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD). Immunosuppressive therapy, starting with prednisolone 20 mg/day and subsequently combined with azathioprine, resulted in the disappearance of the signs and symptoms, including exertional dyspnea and abnormal pulmonary parenchymal shadows on computed tomography, and the normalization of pulmonary artery pressure. So far, there have been no reported cases of PVOD associated with pSS. Of interest, immunosuppressive therapy without vasodilator therapy almost completely resolved the pulmonary hypertension in this patient.