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Updated: May 18, 2026
Imaging Features of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
Published on: June 16, 2020
Multifocal micronodular pneumocyte hyperplasia: computed tomographic appearance and follow-up in tuberous sclerosis
David A Muzykewicz1, Margaux E Black, Victorine Muse
1Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Objective:
To characterize pulmonary nodules in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) using computed tomography.
Methods:
We retrospectively reviewed chest computed tomographic images of 73 patients with TSC (22 males and 51 females; mean ± SD age, 31.5 ± 13.2 years; range, 13.8-63.5 years).
Results:
Multiple pulmonary nodules were identified in 42 (58%) of 73 patients (mean ± SD size, 6.6 ± 3.0 mm; range, 2-14 mm). Solid nodules were present in 11 (26%) of 42 patients, ground-glass nodules were present in 3 (7%) of 42 patients, and both solid and ground-glass nodules were present in 28 (67%) of 42 patients. The presence of multiple nodules was independent of sex and lymphangioleiomyomatosis. Follow-up images were available for 22 patients with multiple nodules (mean ± SD follow-up, 2.0 ± 1.1 years; range, 0.9-4.9 years), none of whom had change in nodule size or number.
Conclusions:
Most men and women with TSC have multiple pulmonary nodules, which likely represent multifocal micronodular pneumocyte hyperplasia in the absence of known predisposing factors.
