Systemic lupus erythematosus CT

Systemic lupus erythematosus Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Systemic lupus erythematosus from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
Diagnostic Criteria
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Electrocardiogram
X Ray
CT
MRI
Echocardiography or Ultrasound
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Lupus and Quality of Life
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Systemic lupus erythematosus CT On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Systemic lupus erythematosus CT All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Systemic lupus erythematosus CT
on Systemic lupus erythematosus CT
Systemic lupus erythematosus CT in the news
Blogs onSystemic lupus erythematosus CT
Directions to Hospitals Treating Systemic lupus erythematosus
Risk calculators and risk factors for Systemic lupus erythematosus CT

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Lung:

Pulmonary hypertension (right ventricular prominence, or loud P2)

enlarged pulmonary trunk (measured at pulmonary artery bifurcation on an axial slice vertical to its long axis)

• enlarged pulmonary arteries
• mural calcification in central pulmonary arteries
• centrilobular ground-glass nodules
• neovascularity: tiny serpiginous intrapulmonary vessels that often emerge from centrilobular arterioles but do not conform to usual pulmonary arterial anatomy

Pulmonary fi brosis (physical and radiographical)

• honeycombing
• traction bronchiectasis
• lung architectural distortion
• reticulation
• interlobular septal thickening:

Shrinking lung (radiograph)

CT chest often shows reduced lung volumes with diaphragmatic elevation +/- occasional basal atelectasis but without any major parenchymal lung or pleural disease 

Pleural fibrosis (radiograph)

Pulmonary infarction (radiograph)

wedge-shaped (less often rounded) juxtapleural opacification (Hampton hump) without air bronchograms

consolidation with internal air lucencies, "bubbly consolidation"; this represent non-infarcted aerated lung parenchyma co-existing side-by-side with infarcted lung in the same lobule

• sometimes scattered areas of low attenuation within the lesion (necrosis) and sometimes enhancement of the perimeter of the infarct
• cavitation: may seen in septic embolism and in infection of a bland infarct (cavitatory pulmonary infarction)

Cardiomyopathy (ventricular dysfunction)

Valvular disease (diastolic murmur, or systolic murmur >3/6)

Pericarditis

neurology

CT scans are useful for detecting structural and focal abnormalities (such as infarcts/hypodense areas, hemorrhage, tumors, cerebral calcification, abscess, and basilar meningitis) [38]. Brain atrophy has been noted in some patients; this finding has been thought by some (but disputed by others) to reflect the effects of steroid therapy [6] or age [4]. We have seen brain atrophy out of proportion to a patient's age, and prior to steroid therapy.

Abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan fi ndings compatible with mesenteric vasculitis include prominence of mesenteric vessels with a comb-like appearance supplying dilated bowel loops, small bowel thickening and ascites. Excessive fatty infi ltration (steatosis) in liver/