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04:44
Imaging Features of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
Published on: June 16, 2020
Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia with subpleural curvilinear shadow
Katsunori Kagohashi1, Gen Ohara, Koichi Kurishima
1Department of Internal Medicine, Mito Medical Center, University of Tsukuba, Japan.
Acta Medica (Hradec Kralove)
|May 6, 2011
Summary
This case report highlights chronic eosinophilic pneumonia (CEP) presenting with subpleural curvilinear shadows. Patchy consolidation and these shadows on CT scans may indicate CEP, even when rare.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Radiology
- Pathology
Background:
- Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia (CEP) is an idiopathic inflammatory lung disease characterized by eosinophilic infiltration of the pulmonary interstitium.
- Diagnosis often relies on clinical presentation, imaging findings, and characteristic peripheral blood or bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) eosinophilia.
Observation:
- A rare case of CEP is presented with a distinctive finding of subpleural curvilinear shadow on computed tomography (CT).
- CT scans revealed patchy consolidation in the bilateral upper lungs, accompanied by subpleural curvilinear shadows in the same regions.
- Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) from the right middle lobe demonstrated a significant eosinophil count of 25%.
Findings:
- The combination of patchy consolidation and subpleural curvilinear shadow in the bilateral upper lungs on CT imaging is an important diagnostic clue.
- Elevated eosinophil percentage in BAL fluid supports the diagnosis of eosinophilic lung disease.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering CEP in patients presenting with these specific radiological findings, even if the presentation is uncommon.
- Radiologists and clinicians should be aware of this rare manifestation to facilitate timely diagnosis and appropriate management of chronic eosinophilic pneumonia.
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