Hematologic neoplasms: interpreting lung findings in chest computed tomography

Abstract

Lung disease is very common in patients with hematologic neoplasms and varies in function of the underlying disease and its treatment. Lung involvement is associated with high morbidity and mortality, so it requires early appropriate treatment. Chest computed tomography (CT) and the analysis of biologic specimens are the first line diagnostic tools in these patients, and sometimes invasive methods are necessary. Interpreting the images requires an analysis of the clinical context, which is often complex. Starting from the knowledge about the differential diagnosis of lung findings that radiologists acquire during training, this article aims to explain the key clinical and radiological aspects that make it possible to orient the diagnosis correctly and to understand the current role of CT in the treatment strategy for this group of patients.

Keywords: Enfermedad pulmonar; Hematologic neoplasms; Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation; Lung disease; Multidetector computed tomography; Neoplasias hematológicas; Tomografía computarizada multidetector; Trasplante de precursores hematopoyéticos.