Korean Society of Thoracic Radiology
The Korean Radiological Society
History
A 40-year old mass was admitted due to dyspnea and
coughing for 3 days.
Findings
Chest radiograph shows ill-defined patchy opacities
in both lungs sparing the apices. HRCT scans shows symmetric, ill-defined,
extensive consolidations with air-bronchogrmas in both lung fields, sparing
the peripheral and apical lung zones.
Discussion
Diffuse pulmonary hemorrhage is a syndrome characterized
by the presence of widespread hemorrhage from the pulmonary microvasculature
leading to hemoptysis, iron deficiency anemia. Although hemoptysis is commonly
seen, dyspnea and cough are more common at presentation. The characteristic
radiologic findings include bilateral air-space consolidation or ground
glass opacities with sparing the lung apices. However, the consolidation
may also be asymmetric or unilateral. The consolidation usually resolves
within 2-3 days, being replaced by irregular linear opacities and interlobular
septal thickening. CT findings of diffuse pulmonary hemorrhage are similar
to plain radiograph; air-space consolidation or ground glass opacities
with air-bronchograms, which has a perihilar predominance with a tendency
to spare the lung apices.
The differential diagnosis depends on the patient's immune status.
The most common causes in the immunocompetent patient are antiglomerular
basement membrane disease (Goodpasture's syndrome), collagen vascular disease,
and idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage. In immunocompromised patients, diffuse
pulmonary hemorrhage is almost always associated with an underlying infection
or lung injury. The common feature histologically is the presence of recent
hemorrhage and/or hemosiderin, but this is not specific, and precise diagnosis
requires additional clinical, serologic, or pathologic information.
References
1. Primack SL, Miller RR, Muller NL, Diffuse pulmonary hemorrhage:
clinical, pathologic, and imaging features. AJR 1995; 164: 295-300
2. Cheah FK, Sheppard MN, Hansell DJ. Computed tomography of diffuse
pulmonary hemorrhage with pathologic correlation. Clin Radiol 1993; 48:
89-93