To identify the spectrum and frequency of thoracic manifestations in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) using chest computed tomography (CT), highlighting its importance in management.
Key Findings:
Infection was the most common thoracic finding, identified in 53% of patients.
Bacterial infections accounted for 45% of cases, with less common infections including polymicrobial (3%), fungal (3%), and tuberculosis (2%).
Pulmonary arterial hypertension was observed in 50% of patients.
Other findings included pulmonary edema (18%), interstitial lung disease (10%), serositis (10%), pulmonary thromboembolism (5%), lupus pneumonitis (3%), and diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (3%).
Extrathoracic findings included splenomegaly (52%), vascular calcifications (23%), and patulous esophagus (22%).
Interpretation:
CT imaging is crucial for detecting thoracic abnormalities in SLE patients, aiding in the differentiation of disease-related manifestations from secondary complications, despite challenges in distinguishing between similar conditions.
Limitations:
Relatively small sample size may affect generalizability, and no cases of neoplastic involvement were identified.
Conclusion:
CT proved invaluable in identifying subtle thoracic abnormalities in SLE, highlighting the need for a pattern-based approach to differentiate between various conditions and its clinical implications.
