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Updated: Jun 1, 2026

Imaging Features of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
Published on: June 16, 2020
[Rheumatoid arthritis and interstitial lung alterations - a clear case, isn't it?]
D Franzen1, U Bürgi, A Gaspert
1Klinik für Pneumologie, Universitätsspital Zürich, Rämistrasse 100, 8091 Zürich. daniel.franzen@usz.ch
Abstract:
In a patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and asymptomatic, diffuse reticulo-nodular lung parenchymal alterations with upper lobe predominance, a Caplan syndrome (CS) was diagnosed. According to the size of the pulmonary nodules, classification into two subtypes of the CS has been proposed: the classic (Caplan) type and the silicotic type. Patients with CS often present with considerable x-ray or computertomographic changes but relatively few symptoms. However, in case of respiratory symptoms, infectious complications or pneumotoxic side effects of the immunsuppressive/immune-modulating pharmacotherapy for RA must be encountered in the differential diagnosis.
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