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Pulmonary nodular opacities after transbronchial biopsy in patients with lung transplants
J D Root1, P L Molina, D J Anderson
1Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110.
Abstract:
Focal nodular opacities were seen on 26 of 74 (35%) postbiopsy radiographs obtained in 39 patients who underwent lung transplantation. The subsequent clinical course and diagnostic evaluation suggested that the opacities were due to focal hemorrhage at the biopsy sites. This finding was evident on only three of 40 (8%) postbiopsy radiographs obtained in 40 control patients who underwent transbronchial biopsy for diffuse interstitial lung disease. The differential diagnosis of new pulmonary nodular opacities in lung transplantation patients should include focal postbiopsy hematomas, because of their relatively frequent occurrence in this clinical situation.
Insights
Focal hemorrhage at lung biopsy sites can cause nodular opacities after lung transplantation. This finding, seen in 35% of post-transplant radiographs, should be considered in differential diagnoses.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Transplantation Surgery
Background:
- Lung transplantation requires frequent monitoring via imaging.
- Pulmonary nodular opacities can indicate various complications.
Observation:
- Focal nodular opacities were observed on 35% of postbiopsy radiographs in lung transplant recipients.
- These opacities were less common (8%) in control patients undergoing transbronchial biopsy for interstitial lung disease.
Findings:
- The opacities were attributed to focal hemorrhage at the lung biopsy sites.
- Postbiopsy hematomas are a frequent finding in lung transplant patients.
Implications:
- Consider focal postbiopsy hematomas in the differential diagnosis of new pulmonary nodular opacities in lung transplant patients.
- This highlights the importance of correlating imaging findings with clinical context in post-transplant care.