PURPOSE: To investigate the role of computed tomography (CT) in determining disease activity and functional impairment and in predicting the prognosis of lung involvement in patients with sarcoidosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two groups of patients underwent CT, pulmonary function tests, and bronchoalveolar lavage. Disease activity was based on serum angiotensin converting enzyme activity and/or lymphocytosis at bronchoalveolar lavage. CT findings in group 1 were correlated with indexes of disease activity and functional parameters at diagnosis. In group 2, evaluation initially and at follow-up led to investigation of correlations between initial CT findings and evolution of disease activity and functional impairment. RESULTS: CT abnormalities in group 1 were nodules, air-space consolidation, lung distortion, septal and nonseptal linear areas of high attenuation, ground-glass attenuation, and honeycombing. Profusion of septal lines was the only CT finding that correlated with disease activity. Statistically significant (P < .05) but low correlation (r < .48) was observed between the extent of abnormalities at CT and impairment of lung function, except for nodules. CONCLUSION: Profusion of lung changes reflects functional impairment but not disease activity. CT findings cannot help predict the evolution of lung changes over time.
PURPOSE: To investigate the role of computed tomography (CT) in determining disease activity and functional impairment and in predicting the prognosis of lung involvement in patients with sarcoidosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two groups of patients underwent CT, pulmonary function tests, and bronchoalveolar lavage. Disease activity was based on serum angiotensin converting enzyme activity and/or lymphocytosis at bronchoalveolar lavage. CT findings in group 1 were correlated with indexes of disease activity and functional parameters at diagnosis. In group 2, evaluation initially and at follow-up led to investigation of correlations between initial CT findings and evolution of disease activity and functional impairment. RESULTS: CT abnormalities in group 1 were nodules, air-space consolidation, lung distortion, septal and nonseptal linear areas of high attenuation, ground-glass attenuation, and honeycombing. Profusion of septal lines was the only CT finding that correlated with disease activity. Statistically significant (P < .05) but low correlation (r < .48) was observed between the extent of abnormalities at CT and impairment of lung function, except for nodules. CONCLUSION: Profusion of lung changes reflects functional impairment but not disease activity. CT findings cannot help predict the evolution of lung changes over time.
Authors: G Gafà; N Sverzellati; E Bonati; A Chetta; F Franco; E Rabaiotti; M De Filippo; E Marangio; D Figoli; T Meschi; M Zompatori; C Rossi Journal: Radiol Med Date: 2012-05-14 Impact factor: 3.469
Authors: Esam H Alhamad; Majdy M Idrees; Mohammed O Alanezi; Ahmad A Alboukai; Shaffi Ahmad Shaik Journal: Ann Thorac Med Date: 2010-04 Impact factor: 2.219
Authors: Esam H Alhamad; Shaffi Ahmad Shaik; Majdy M Idrees; Mohammed O Alanezi; Arthur C Isnani Journal: BMC Pulm Med Date: 2010-08-09 Impact factor: 3.317