[Cryptogenic organizing pneumonia: CT features and the effect of glucocorticoids]

To study the CT manifestations of cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP) after glucocorticoid treatment.

The diagnosis of COP was made based on clinical and radiological features and confirmed by lung biopsy and pathological examination in 21 cases from 2001 to 2005. CT follow-up was carried out 5 - 75 days following therapy. The follow-up lasted 3 - 43 months. All data were analyzed and relevant literatures were reviewed.

There were 2 male an 19 female patients with ages of 39 - 74 years. CT scans revealed multiple patchy shadows or patchy air-space consolidations, often by a predominantly subpleural and/or basal distribution. Ground-glass opacities and bronchiectasis were common findings. Migratory lesions were found in some patients. Glucocorticoid treatment resulted in significant improvement in most cases. Cure was achieved in 4 cases, significant improvement in 16, and failure in 1 case. Recurrence was found in 2 cases.

The diagnosis of COP requires combination of clinical, CT and pathological manifestations. The effect of glucocorticoid therapy can be evaluated by repeated CT scanning.