Imaging of the pulmonary manifestations of systemic disease

Abstract

Lung involvement in systemic disease may be a manifestation of the underlying pathological process, may be a complication of the underlying disease or may be related to the treatment. Lung pathology is dominant in certain diseases, such as in Wegener's granulomatosis, but may be only rarely present, for example in Henoch-Schönlein purpura. However, lung involvement has a profound effect on prognosis and may be challenging to accurately diagnose. In some patients, bronchoalveolar lavage and tissue diagnosis with transbronchial or percutaneous biopsy is not possible, due to the poor clinical state of the patient.

A Study on the Incidence of Pleuropulmonary Manifestations of Rheumatoid Arthritis in a Government General Hospital, Nizamabad

“…Coexisting subcutaneous rheumatoid nodules is a high-risk factor for development of interstitial lung disorder in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. 4 In the present study 5 patients presented with diffuse interstitial fibrosis, of these 2 patients are elderly having long duration of the disease and had skeletal deformities. They had symptoms of progressive onset of dyspnoea, occasional dry non-productive cough.…”

Phagocytic Activity of Neutrhophils in Patients With Systemic Sclerosis and Lung Injury

“…Rockall та співавт. [17] показали роль опортуністичних інфекцій у розвитку ушкодження легень при системних захворю-ваннях сполучної тканини, зокрема при ССД, а також особливості імунної відповіді у таких пацієнтів. Крім того, відомо, що вказані вище інфекції через надмірну активацію системи нейтрофільних фагоцитів теж можуть спри-яти посиленню імунозапальних васкулярних та фібротичних процесів у сполучній тканині [18][19][20].…”

Manifestações intratorácicas das doenças do colágeno na tomografia computadorizada de alta resolução do tórax

“…The differential diagnosis of pulmonary nodules or masses in patients with collagen vascular disease is broad and includes opportunistic infectious processes (Nocardia, Cryptococcus, Aspergillus, Histoplasma, atypical mycobacteria), neoplasms (carcinoma, lymphoma), metabolic process (amyloidosis), and immunological process (rheumatoid nodules) (19) . The main causes of pulmonary nodules and masses found at HRCT of patients with collagen vascular disease are summarized as follows: a) Rheumatoid nodules -Rare, but may be found in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, subcutaneous nodules and positive rheumatoid factor (1,20) .…”

“…These nodules rarely develop in the pleura or pericardium. Rheumatoid nodules may cavitate (up to 50%), causing hemoptysis or pneumothorax, or become infected (19)(20)(21) . Spontaneous resolution may occur.…”

“…Spontaneous resolution may occur. Calcification is rare (19) . An unusual association between rheumatoid nodules and pneumoconiosis (particularly in coal-mining workers) in patients with rheumatoid disease is called Caplan's syndrome (19) .…”