Thoracic manifestations of the less common collagen diseases. A pictorial essay

Radiol Med. 2003 Nov-Dec;106(5-6):445-51; quiz 452-3.
[Article in English, Italian]

Abstract

Systemic autoimmune diseases include different forms of vasculitides and collagen diseases. Among collagen diseases, the rarer entities include: Sjögren syndrome, dermatopolymyositis, ankylosing spondylitis, relapsing polychondritis and mixed connective tissue disorders. The diagnosis of these entities requires an integrated multidisciplinary approach. The radiological findings of collagen diseases are well known; however, the introduction of HRCT studies provides additional information and enable an early diagnosis. The more common thoracic manifestations of collagen diseases include interstitial pneumonia (usual, nonspecific and lymphocytic), bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP), airway diseases (bronchiectasis, obliterative and constrictive bronchiolitis, follicular bronchiolitis), pleural abnormalities, diaphragmatic dysfunction, apical fibrosis. The aim of this pictorial essay is to present the main radiological and HRCT patterns related to the less common collagen diseases.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Child
  • Collagen Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Connective Tissue Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Cryptogenic Organizing Pneumonia / diagnostic imaging
  • Dermatomyositis / diagnostic imaging
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / diagnostic imaging
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone / diagnostic imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mixed Connective Tissue Disease / diagnostic imaging
  • Polychondritis, Relapsing / diagnostic imaging
  • Prognosis
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Radiography, Thoracic*
  • Sjogren's Syndrome / diagnostic imaging
  • Spondylitis, Ankylosing / diagnostic imaging
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*