Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 15, 2026
04:44
Imaging Features of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
Published on: June 16, 2020
[Pulmonary involvement of scleroderma presenting with nodules]
Tülay Kıvanç1, Zuhal Ekici, Sema Yılmaz
1Department of Chest Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Baskent University, Ankara, Turkey. drtulaybakirci@yahoo.com
Tuberkuloz Ve Toraks
|January 8, 2013
Summary
Scleroderma, a connective tissue disease, can present with unusual multiple pulmonary nodules on CT scans. Early diagnosis and treatment led to the resolution of these lung nodules.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Pulmonology
- Radiology
Background:
- Scleroderma is a systemic connective tissue disease with high prevalence of pulmonary involvement.
- Pulmonary manifestations typically include diffuse, bilateral basilar reticulonodular infiltrates.
Observation:
- A 45-year-old woman presented with a month of coughing and multiple, diffuse, irregular pulmonary nodules on chest CT.
- Physical examination revealed skin thickening, sclerodactyly, and finger pad atrophy.
- Laboratory tests showed elevated liver function, antinuclear, antimitochondrial, and anticentromere antibodies.
Findings:
- Bronchoalveolar lavage revealed 61% lymphocytes and 13% eosinophils, with decreased DLCO.
- Lung biopsy indicated nonspecific interstitial pneumonia; liver biopsy showed portal inflammation and fibrosis.
- The patient was diagnosed with scleroderma based on clinical, serological, and biopsy findings.
Implications:
- This case highlights scleroderma as a potential cause of multiple pulmonary nodules, an atypical presentation.
- Prompt treatment with cyclophosphamide and corticosteroids resulted in complete resolution of pulmonary nodules.
- Scleroderma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with unexplained multiple pulmonary nodules.
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