Complete resolution of roentgenographic changes in a patient with pulmonary histiocytosis X.
A smoker presented with pleuritic chest pain and was found to have reticulonodular interstitial opacities on chest x-ray film. Open lung biopsy revealed changes consistent with histiocytosis X, a disease seen almost exclusively in smokers. Smoking cessation was recommended, and the patient complied. A chest x-ray film taken nearly three years later revealed complete resolution of the radiographic abnormalities. It is proposed that smoking cessation may be related to the improvement in this patient's chest x-ray film findings, and that it should be recommended for all patients with pulmonary histiocytosis X.
Von Essen
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Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Section, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha 68105.
West
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Sitorius
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Rennard
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SI
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006646:Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D011859:Radiography; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects