Cavitating Lung Lesions in Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension

Authors

  • heather harris
  • richard barraclough
  • christine davies
  • iain armstrong
  • david kiely
  • edwin j r van beek

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3941/jrcr.v2i3.50

Keywords:

acute and chronic pulmonary thromboembolic disease, pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary cavity, computed tomography, chest radiography, pulmonary infarct

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study is to assess the incidence and natural history of cavitating lung lesions in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), note thrombus position between patients with and without a cavity and determine whether their development is a predictor of mortality.

Materials & Methods: All patients with confirmed CTEPH attending our Pulmonary Vascular Unit between February 1998 and January 2006 were identified, and a review of their notes and imaging was performed. Thrombus position, pre-disposing factors, cavity progression and mortality were noted, and comparisons made between those with and without a cavity.

Results: 11 of 104 patients had a cavity (10.6%). Thrombus distribution was similar between those with and those without a cavity. Preceding infection was not proven in  most cases. 27.3% of patients with a cavity died compared to 26.8% of those without.

Conclusion: Cavity formation in CTEPH is 3 times more common than in acute pulmonary embolism. Thrombus position does not predict cavity development, and the presence of a cavity may serve as an indicator of disease severity but does not appear to predict mortality.

Author Biographies

heather harris

Specialist registrar

Department of Radiology, The Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Glossop Road, Sheffield S10 7JF, UK

richard barraclough

Specialist Registrar, The Sheffield Pulmonary Vascular Disease Unit, The Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Glossop Road, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S10 2JF, United Kingdom

christine davies

Consultant Radiologist, Department of Radiology, The Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Glossop Road, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S10 2JF, United Kingdom

iain armstrong

Clinical Nurse Specialist, The Sheffield Pulmonary Vascular Disease Unit, The Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Glossop Road, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S10 2JF, United Kingdom

david kiely

Consultant Respiratory Physician, The Sheffield Pulmonary Vascular Disease Unit, The Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Glossop Road, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S10 2JF, United Kingdom

edwin j r van beek

Professor of Radiology, Medicine and Biomedical Engineering, Roy J and Lucille A Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Department of Radiology, C-751 GH, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242-1077, USA

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Published

2008-09-29

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 3 (2008)

Section

Thoracic Radiology

License

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