title: Leukaemic pulmonary infiltrates in adult acute myeloid leukaemia: a high-resolution computerized tomography study.
abstract: Leukaemic infiltration of the lungs may occur in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Pulmonary infiltrates are usually microscopic and invariably associated with hyperleucocytosis. Four AML patients with respiratory symptoms and low leucocyte counts underwent standard chest radiography, bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage and high-resolution computerized tomography (HRCT) of the lungs. HRCT scans showed pulmonary infiltrates with alveolar, interstitial, mixed and peribronchial/perivascular patterns in all patients, including one with negative standard radiographic findings. Infectious agents were excluded. Histology of the lung biopsy/autopsy specimens showed leukaemic infiltrates. Pulmonary leukaemia may be the cause of pulmonary infiltrates, even in non-hyperleucocytosic AML patients with low blast counts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology and Haematology, Section of Haematology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Leonardo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Potenza
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Luppi
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morselli
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tonelli
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: D'Apollo
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Facchini
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Torricelli
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tazzioli
authors.forename: Alessia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saviola
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bresciani
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Longo
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Torelli
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007951:Leukemia, Myeloid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D017254:Leukemic Infiltration; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed