Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Scleroderma x ray
Introduction
Overview
Overview
An x-ray of the chest may be helpful in the diagnosis of scleroderma interstitial lung disease, and pulmonary fibrosis. Although it is usually not as sensitive as HRCT, findings on an x-ray suggestive of scleroderma interstitial lung disease include interstitial opacification, reticular areas of attenuation, ground glass opacity greatest at lung bases.
X Ray
X Ray
An x-ray of the chest may be helpful in the diagnosis of scleroderma interstitial lung disease and pulmonary fibrosis. Although it is usually not as sensitive as HRCT, findings on an x-ray suggestive of scleroderma interstitial lung disease include:[1][2]
- Interstitial opacification
- Reticular areas of attenuation (interstitial thickening)
- Increased ground glass opacity
- Low lung volume
Most cases of interstitial lung disease and pulmonary fibrosis in scleroderma will appear normal earlier in the disease on radiography, therefore it is recommended to perform HRCT scan of the chest as it is more sensitive in detecting changes earlier in the disease.
References
References
- ↑ Schurawitzki H, Stiglbauer R, Graninger W, Herold C, Pölzleitner D, Burghuber OC, Tscholakoff D (September 1990). “Interstitial lung disease in progressive systemic sclerosis: high-resolution CT versus radiography”. Radiology. 176 (3): 755–9. doi:10.1148/radiology.176.3.2389033. PMID 2389033.
- ↑ Bianchi FA, Bistue AR, Wendt VE, Puro HE, Keech MK (September 1966). “Analysis of twenty-seven cases of progressive systemic sclerosis (including two with combined systemic lupus erythematosus) and a review of the literature”. J Chronic Dis. 19 (9): 953–77. PMID 5966290.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: M. Khurram Afzal, MD [2]