Rare imaging findings of hypersensitivity pneumonitis: A case report

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is an immune-mediated syndrome caused by allergen inhalation. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of HP may show diffuse ground-glass opacity, centrilobular ground-glass nodules, areas of air-trapping, thin-walled cysts, or fibrotic changes.

A 47-year-old male patient went to the hospital complaining of cough and gradual aggravation of shortness of breath. HRCT of the lung showed that multiple nodules and ground-glass high-density shadows were present in both lungs. In addition, circular high-density shadows of various sizes were widely distributed in both lungs with relatively normal lung markings inside them. But other tests did not have a positive finding that can clarify the cause. Therefore, the patient underwent a lung biopsy. The pathological results showed that the lesions tended to be HP. After 4 mo of follow-up, the lesions in the patient's lungs were absorbed spontaneously, and the symptoms of cough and shortness of breath have disappeared. The review results suggested that the patient's disease was self-healing, which was consistent with the characteristics of HP.

For some patients with HP, abnormal HRCT findings, such as the lesions in the lungs, can be absorbed on their own, which is an important clue in the diagnosis of the disease. Early diagnosis by lung biopsy is necessary when antigen exposure is unknown.