Lung diseases in patients with common variable immunodeficiency: chest radiographic, and computed tomographic findings

J Comput Assist Tomogr. 2006 Sep-Oct;30(5):828-38. doi: 10.1097/01.rct.0000228163.08968.26.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate chest radiographic and computed tomographic (CT) findings of lung disease related to common variable immunodeficiency.

Methods: Thirty-five chest radiographs and 30 CT scans of 46 patients were assessed. Lung parenchymal abnormalities that were evaluated included airspace consolidation, ground-glass attenuation, nodules, bronchiectasis, and air trapping.

Results: On CT, ground-glass attenuation and nodules were the most frequent findings, observed in 60% (n = 18/30) and 83% (n = 25/30), respectively. Three major CT patterns were identified: airway disease (n = 13), nodules (n = 8), and parenchymal opacification (n = 6). All 13 patients with airway disease showed centrilobular opacities. One patient with peribronchial nodules showed lymphoid interstitial pneumonia, and 1 with randomly distributed nodules showed noncaseating granulomas. Patients with a CT pattern of parenchymal opacification showed lower lung predominance; surgical biopsies showed organizing pneumonia in 1 patient and lymphoid interstitial pneumonia with nonnecrotizing granulomas in another.

Conclusions: Common variable immunodeficiency is associated with 3 major CT patterns: airway disease, nodules, and parenchymal opacification.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Biopsy / methods
  • Common Variable Immunodeficiency / complications*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung / diagnostic imaging*
  • Lung Diseases / complications
  • Lung Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Lung Diseases / pathology
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / complications
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / diagnosis
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Observer Variation
  • Pneumonia / complications
  • Pneumonia / diagnosis
  • Respiratory Function Tests / methods
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*