Lung Involvement in Pulmonary Vasculitis: A Radiological Review

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Radiology
• Rheumatology

Background:

• Pulmonary vasculitis encompasses diverse diseases causing inflammation, damage, and necrosis of pulmonary vessels.
• Classification typically divides vasculitis into primary and secondary, with primary types further categorized by vessel size (large, medium, small).

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and describe common radiological features of pulmonary vasculitis.
• To aid prompt diagnosis by correlating imaging findings with clinical and laboratory data.

Main Methods:

• Review of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings in pulmonary vasculitis.
• Analysis of radiological presentations including vessel wall thickening, opacities, consolidations, and dilatations.

Main Results:

• HRCT findings are not pathognomonic but varied, including small vessel thickening, nodules, opacities (ground-glass, reticular), consolidations, septal thickening, stenosis, and aneurysms.
• Radiological signs can overlap with other conditions like infections, connective tissue diseases, and neoplasms.

Conclusions:

• Radiological diagnosis of pulmonary vasculitis is challenging due to non-specific signs.
• Integrating HRCT findings with clinical history and laboratory tests is crucial for accurate and timely diagnosis.