Mixed connective tissue disease CT

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Shaghayegh Habibi, M.D.[2]

Overview

In MCTD, the tomographic images may show abnormalities related to interstitial lung disease and the presence of esophageal dilatation. Chest CT scan findings include ground glass opacities, irregularities between the peripheral pleura and parenchyma, septal and non-septal lines, intralobular reticular opacities, bronchiolectasis or traction bronchiectasis, areas of cystic spaces (honeycombing pattern), areas of decreased attenuation and air trapping on expiratory computed tomography.

CT scan

Computed tomography may be helpful in early diagnosis of interstitial lung disease.^[1]
In MCTD, the tomographic images may show abnormalities related to:^[2]^[3]
- interstitial lung disease
  - Ground glass opacities
  - Irregularities between the peripheral pleura and parenchyma or small lines perpendicular to the pleura (Interface sign)
  - Septal and non-septal lines (linear opacities)
  - Intralobular reticular opacities
  - Bronchiolectasis or traction bronchiectasis
  - Cystic spaces (diameter <1 cm) with thickened walls (honeycombing pattern)
  - Areas of decreased attenuation and air trapping on expiratory computed tomography
- esophageal dilatation
  - esophagus may be fluid filled or has an air-fluid level

References

↑ Végh J, Szilasi M, Soós G, Dévényi K, Dezso B, Soltész P, Zeher M, Szegedi G, Bodolay E (November 2005). “[Interstitial lung disease in mixed connective tissue disease]”. Orv Hetil (in Hungarian). 146 (48): 2435–43. PMID 16408383.
↑ Fagundes MN, Caleiro MT, Navarro-Rodriguez T, Baldi BG, Kavakama J, Salge JM, Kairalla R, Carvalho CR (June 2009). “Esophageal involvement and interstitial lung disease in mixed connective tissue disease”. Respir Med. 103 (6): 854–60. doi:10.1016/j.rmed.2008.12.018. PMID 19201182.
↑ Kozuka T, Johkoh T, Honda O, Mihara N, Koyama M, Tomiyama N, Hamada S, Nakamura H, Ichikado K (April 2001). “Pulmonary involvement in mixed connective tissue disease: high-resolution CT findings in 41 patients”. J Thorac Imaging. 16 (2): 94–8. PMID 11292211.

Overview