Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis: High-resolution CT, chest radiographic, and functional correlations

Ki Nam Lee, David L. Levin, W. Richard Webb, Derong Chen, Maria L. Storto, Jeffrey A. Golden

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

102 Scopus citations

Abstract

Study objective: To determine whether a correlation exists between pulmonary function and both frontal chest radiographs and high-resolution chest CT findings in patients with pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP). Design: Retrospective review of radiographic and clinical data. Setting: Tertiary referral hospital. Patients: Seven patients with PAP were studied on 25 occasions using high-resolution chest CT (n=21), frontal chest radiographs (n=19), and pulmonary function tests (PFTs) (n=25). Measurements and results: Visual estimates of the extent, degree, and overall severity of parenchymal abnormalities were determined for plain radiographs and high-resolution chest CT, and were correlated with PFTs. With high-resolution CT, the extent and severity of ground-glass opacity correlated significantly with the presence of a restrictive ventilatory defect, reduced diffusing capacity, and hypoxemia. Chest radiographic findings also correlated significantly with restrictive ventilatory defect, diffusing capacity, and hypoxemia. Conclusion: In patients with PAP, although high-resolution CT correlates more closely with pulmonary function, plain radiographs should be sufficient for follow-up.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)989-995
Number of pages7
JournalChest
Volume111
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 1997

Keywords

  • alveolar proteinosis
  • computed tomography
  • function test
  • lungs
  • pulmonary

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
  • Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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