title: Cavitating lung lesions in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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 #ENTITYSTARTX00026;
  
  
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, The Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Glossop Road, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S10 2JF, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Barraclough
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: Iain
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Armstrong
authors.forename: David G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Kiely
authors.forename: Edwin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: van Beek