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Pulmonary eosinophilia
1Department of Radiology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK.
Abstract:
The pulmonary eosinophilias are a diverse group of disorders characterised by pulmonary infiltrates, rich in eosinophils usually associated with a peripheral blood eosinophilia. Known causes of pulmonary eosinophilia include fungi--in particular Aspergillus fumigatus, parasites, toxins and drugs. Pulmonary eosinophilias of unknown cause include Löffler's syndrome, acute and chronic eosinophilic pneumonia, the hypereosinophilic syndrome, bronchocentric granulomatosis and pulmonary eosinophilia associated with vasculitis. The chest radiographic appearances of pulmonary eosinophilia are often characteristic and HRCT in selected cases can give important additional information.
Insights
Pulmonary eosinophilias involve lung infiltrates with eosinophils, often seen with blood eosinophilia. Causes range from infections and toxins to unknown conditions, with characteristic imaging findings.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Pathology
- Radiology
Background:
- Pulmonary eosinophilias are a group of lung disorders characterized by eosinophilic infiltrates.
- These conditions are often associated with elevated eosinophil counts in the blood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the diverse causes and presentations of pulmonary eosinophilias.
- To highlight the role of imaging in diagnosing these conditions.
Main Methods:
- Review of known causes including fungi (e.g., Aspergillus fumigatus), parasites, toxins, and drugs.
- Discussion of idiopathic conditions such as Löffler's syndrome, eosinophilic pneumonia, hypereosinophilic syndrome, bronchocentric granulomatosis, and vasculitis-associated eosinophilia.
- Emphasis on characteristic chest radiographic findings and the utility of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT).
Main Results:
- Pulmonary eosinophilias present with diverse etiologies, both known and unknown.
- Imaging, particularly chest radiography and HRCT, plays a crucial role in diagnosis.
- Characteristic radiographic patterns aid in identifying these conditions.
Conclusions:
- Pulmonary eosinophilias encompass a broad spectrum of diseases.
- Accurate diagnosis relies on integrating clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings.
- HRCT provides valuable supplementary information for selected cases.