Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia: CT features in 14 patients

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Radiology
• Pathology

Background:

• Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP) is an inflammatory lung disease.
• It involves granulation tissue in small airways and organizing pneumonia.
• BOOP can affect immunocompromised individuals, such as those with leukemia or bone-marrow transplants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of chest radiography and CT scans in patients with BOOP.
• To correlate imaging findings with pathological features of BOOP.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of chest radiographs, CT scans (10-mm and 1.5-mm collimation), and biopsy specimens from 14 patients with proven BOOP.
• Analysis of imaging findings including air-space consolidation, nodular opacities, linear opacities, bronchial abnormalities, and pleural effusions.

Main Results:

• All patients exhibited air-space consolidation, small nodules, or both.
• CT scans revealed patchy consolidation, small nodules, bronchial wall thickening/dilatation, and pleural effusions.
• A subpleural distribution of consolidation was noted in some cases on both radiography and CT.
• CT scans provided a more accurate depiction of the anatomic distribution and extent of BOOP compared to plain chest radiographs.

Conclusions:

• CT imaging is superior to plain chest radiography for assessing the distribution and extent of Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia.
• Imaging findings on CT correlate with pathological inflammation in the small airways and alveoli.
• CT is a valuable tool in the diagnosis and management of BOOP.