Background: Bronchiectasis has been observed in association with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Theorised aetiology includes aspiration related to oesophageal dysmotility, immunosuppressant medication use and the direct effect of collagen deposition on airway calibre.Aims: To detail bronchiectasis prevalence in an SSc population who have had a highresolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the thorax. We assessed whether oesophageal dysmotility, demographic variables, SSc duration or subclass were associated with bronchiectasis.Methods: Participants in the Australian Scleroderma Cohort Study (ASCS) with a HRCT were included. The ASCS provided demographic and clinical data. HRCT studies were reviewed for bronchiectasis, oesophageal dilatation and interstitial lung disease (ILD). Traction bronchiectasis associated with ILD was recorded as a separate entity to bronchiectasis. Oesophageal dysmotility was defined by symptoms and/or oesophageal dilatation.Results: Of the 256 participants, 16.4% (n = 42) had bronchiectasis. Logistic regression analysis revealed no significant association between bronchiectasis and oesophageal dysmotility (observed in 95.7%), any demographic variable, SSc duration or subclass. A negative association between bronchiectasis and ILD was observed (P = 0.009; odds ratio 0.322; 95% confidence intervals 0.137-0.756). Conclusion:Those with SSc appear to have an increased risk for bronchiectasis. Since bronchiectasis was not more frequent in participants with a longer duration of SSc, we hypothesise that its development is not related to immunosuppression alone. Oesophageal dysmotility was almost universal in our population such that its effect on bronchiectasis development could not be concluded. A negative association between bronchiectasis and ILD reflects that bronchiectasis occurring alongside ILD was recorded as a separate entity.

Low-volume CTPA is technically feasible and provides excellent enhancement of the pulmonary arterial tree.

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4 cases of eosinophilic meningoencephalitis in Hong Kong are described. The major clinical features of the patients, who were 2-60 years old, were low grade fever, headache, mild meningeal signs, right facial palsy or hemiplegia. Eosinophilia in the peripheral blood and eosinophilic pleocytosis were prominent. Computerized tomography scans of brain showed a small area of attenuation with surrounding hypodense area; the lesion was resolved 1-2 months after admission to hospital. Electroencephalograms revealed abnormally slow dysrhythmia. Sections of a nematode observed in the brain of a patient who died were identified as those of young adult Angiostrongylus cantonensis. High ELISA titres against the crude antigens of this nematode were also noted in the serum of 3 patients. The disease is probably under-recognized in Hong Kong.

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