PURPOSE: The authors assessed the clinical usefulness of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) for monitoring sarcoidosis by comparing changes on HRCT with those on pulmonary function test (PFT) results over time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The baseline and follow-up (after 13 months, range 15-63 months) HRCT scans of 14 consecutive patients with sarcoidosis were reviewed by a single observer. Each follow-up HRCT examination was assessed as stable, improved (when the extent of HRCT findings was reduced compared with baseline) and worsened (when the extent of HRCT findings was increased and/or when HRCT pattern had become fibrotic compared with baseline). Any increase or decrease in forced vital capacity (FVC)≥10% from baseline was considered significant. Changes on HRCT were then compared with those on FVC. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 33 (range 15-63) months, HRCT findings worsened in 8/14 (58%) cases, improved in 3/14 (21%) and remained stable in 3/14 (21%). Agreement between changes on HRCT and FVC was moderate (κ=0.49). In 9/14 (64%) cases, HRCT changes were in line with those on FVC. In 4/5 discordant cases, the worsened HRCT findings were not mirrored by FVC changes. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the small size of our study population, our results suggest that HRCT may provide clinicians with additional information about the evolution of sarcoidosis.
PURPOSE: The authors assessed the clinical usefulness of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) for monitoring sarcoidosis by comparing changes on HRCT with those on pulmonary function test (PFT) results over time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The baseline and follow-up (after 13 months, range 15-63 months) HRCT scans of 14 consecutive patients with sarcoidosis were reviewed by a single observer. Each follow-up HRCT examination was assessed as stable, improved (when the extent of HRCT findings was reduced compared with baseline) and worsened (when the extent of HRCT findings was increased and/or when HRCT pattern had become fibrotic compared with baseline). Any increase or decrease in forced vital capacity (FVC)≥10% from baseline was considered significant. Changes on HRCT were then compared with those on FVC. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 33 (range 15-63) months, HRCT findings worsened in 8/14 (58%) cases, improved in 3/14 (21%) and remained stable in 3/14 (21%). Agreement between changes on HRCT and FVC was moderate (κ=0.49). In 9/14 (64%) cases, HRCT changes were in line with those on FVC. In 4/5 discordant cases, the worsened HRCT findings were not mirrored by FVC changes. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the small size of our study population, our results suggest that HRCT may provide clinicians with additional information about the evolution of sarcoidosis.
Authors: David M Hansell; Alexander A Bankier; Heber MacMahon; Theresa C McLoud; Nestor L Müller; Jacques Remy Journal: Radiology Date: 2008-01-14 Impact factor: 11.105
Authors: L E Siltzbach; D G James; E Neville; J Turiaf; J P Battesti; O P Sharma; Y Hosoda; R Mikami; M Odaka Journal: Am J Med Date: 1974-12 Impact factor: 4.965
Authors: Rik G J Marcellis; Antoine F Lenssen; Geeuwke J de Vries; Robert P Baughman; Chris P van der Grinten; Johny A Verschakelen; Jolanda De Vries; Marjolein Drent Journal: Lung Date: 2012-11-09 Impact factor: 2.584