[High resolution computed tomograghy features in pulmonary alveolar proteinosis before and after whole lung lavage therapy].
OBJECTIVE
To study high resolution computed tomograghy (HRCT) features and changes of HRCT after whole lung lavage therapy in patients with pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP).


METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed the HRCT data of 23 times of lung lavage therapy in 16 PAP patients.


RESULTS
HRCT scan showed bilateral clearly-defined patchy areas of ground-glass opacity and interlobular septal thickening, a pattern commonly characterized as "crazy paving". After whole lung lavage therapy, HRCT showed that the diffused ground-glass opacity palliated and the extent of lung opacity shrinked, while the reticular opacity and area of confluence persisted.


CONCLUSIONS
The HRCT feature of PAP is relatively characteristic, and may be improved after whole lung lavage therapy.
Zhou
Lu
L
Department of Radiology, PUMC Hospital, CAMS and PUMC, Beijing 100730, China.
Jin
Zheng-Yu
ZY
Zhang
Zhu-Hua
ZH
D018893:Bronchoalveolar Lavage / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011649:Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*