Ces radiol. 2007, 61(4):387-391

Potential of HRCT in dagnostics of pulmonary form of chronic graft-versus-host diseaseOriginal article

Hynek Mírka¹, Jiří Ferda¹, Kristýna Ohlídalová¹, Pavel Jindra², Michal Karas², Daniel Lysák², Samuel Vokurka¹

¹ Radiodiagnostická klinika LF UK a FN, Plzeň

² Hematoonkologické oddělení FN, Plzeň

Aim: To evaluate contribution of HRCT in diagnostics of pulmonary form of chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).

Method: 16 HRCT examinations were performed in patients after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation with confirmed pulmonary form of chronic graft-versus-host disease over a period of 7,5 years (january 2000 - september 2007). Inspiratory and exspiratory scans were obtained in all of them. X-ray examination was performed in 13 cases.

Results: The mosaic perfusion with air-trapping on exspiratory scans (9 cases - 56.3 %) was the most frequent finding. Bronchial wall alteration was detected in 7 patients (5 cases of bronchial wall thickening - 31.3 % and 2 cases of bronchiectases - 12.5 %). In 3 patients (18.7 %), centrilobular and peribronchovascular interstitial changes were detected. Intersticial fibrosis was developed only in one patient (6.5 %). Some findings were combined.

Conclusion: Mosaic perfusion with air trapping might be considered as relatively specific finding in group of patients with chronic GVHD. Other findings are non-specific. As a sign of chronic graft-versus-host disease should be considered only if there is confirmed an association with transplantation. Exspiratory scans are necessary in this indication.

Keywords: high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), lungs, blood stem cell transplantation, graft-versus-host disease, bronchiolitis obliterans

Grants and funding:

Práce byla podpořena výzkumným záměrem MSM 0021620819.

Accepted: October 12, 2007; Published: December 1, 2007  Show citation