Manifestations of the connective tissue associated interstitial lung disease under high resolution computed tomography

Abstract

To analyze the features of the connective tissue associated interstitial lung disease (CTD-ILD) by high resolution computed tomography (HRCT). Methods: A total of 127 patients with CTD-ILD, who were diagnosed by clinic laboratory examination and pathology in Xiangya Hospital of Central South University form September 2013 to September 2015, were enrolled for this study. Their lung features of HRCT imaging were retrospectively analyzed. Results: The classifications for 127 patients were as follows: 36 cases of rheumatoid arthritis (28.3%), 34 cases of dermatomyositis and polymyositis (26.8%), 31 cases of systemic sclerosis (24.4%), 18 cases of Sjögren syndrome (14.2%), 7 cases of mixed connective tissue disease (5.5%), and 1 cases of systemic lupus erythematosus (0.8%). According to the features of HRCT imaging, the patients were divided as follows: 77 cases (60.6%) of nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), 46 cases (36.2%) of usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP), 2 cases (1.6%) of lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia (LIP), 1 case (0.8%) of cryptogenic interstitial pneumonia (COP), and 1 case (0.8%) of acute interstitial pneumonia (AIP). The HRCT findings for 36 cases of rheumatoid arthritis associated interstitial lung disease were UIP (24 cases, 66.7%) and NSIP (12 cases, 33.3%); the HRCT findings for 34 cases of dermatomyositis and polymyositis associated interstitial lung disease were NSIP (32 cases, 94.1%), UIP (1 case, 2.9%) and COP (1 case, 2.9%); the HRCT findings for 31 cases of systemic sclerosis associated interstitial lung disease were NSIP (21 cases, 67.8%), UIP (9 cases, 29%), LIP(1 case, 3.2%); the HRCT findings for 18 cases of Sjögren syndrome associated interstitial lung disease were NSIP (9 cases, 50.0%), UIP (8 cases, 44.4%), LIP (1 case, 5.6%); the HRCT findings for 7 cases of mixed connective tissue disease associated interstitial lung disease were UIP (4 cases, 57.1%), NSIP (3 cases, 42.9%). SLE-ILD was rare, with only 1 case of AIP. Conclusion: Different types of CTD-ILD patients display relatively unique manifestation of HRCT.