Lung ultrasound in systemic sclerosis: correlation with high-resolution computed tomography, pulmonary function tests and clinical variables of disease.
Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a hallmark of systemic sclerosis (SSc). Although high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is the gold standard to diagnose ILD, recently lung ultrasound (LUS) has emerged in SSc patients as a new promising technique for the ILD evaluation, noninvasive and radiation-free. The aim of this study was to evaluate if there is a correlation between LUS, chest HRCT, pulmonary function tests findings and clinical variables of the disease. Thirty-nine patients (33 women and 6 men; mean age 51 ± 15.2 years) underwent clinical examination, HRCT, pulmonary function tests and LUS for detection of B-lines. A positive correlation exists between the number of B-lines and the HRCT score (r = 0.81, p < 0.0001), conversely a negative correlation exists between the number of B-lines and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) (r = -0.63, p < 0.0001). The number of B-lines increases along with the progression of the capillaroscopic damage. A statistically significant difference in the number of B-lines was found between patients with and without digital ulcers [42 (3-84) vs 16 (4-55)]. We found that the number of B-lines increased with the progression of both HRCT score and digital vascular damage. LUS may therefore, be a useful tool to determine the best timing for HRCT execution, thus, preventing for many patients a continuous and useless exposure to ionizing radiation.
Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale dell'Università 37, 00185, Rome, Italy. antonietta_gigante@yahoo.it.
Antonietta
A
Gigante
Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale dell'Università 37, 00185, Rome, Italy.
Filippo
F
Rossi Fanelli
Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale dell'Università 37, 00185, Rome, Italy.
Silvio
S
Lucci
Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale dell'Università 37, 00185, Rome, Italy.
Giuseppe
G
Barilaro
Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale dell'Università 37, 00185, Rome, Italy.
Silvia
S
Quarta
Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale dell'Università 37, 00185, Rome, Italy.
Biagio
B
Barbano
Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale dell'Università 37, 00185, Rome, Italy.
Antonello
A
Giovannetti
Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale dell'Università 37, 00185, Rome, Italy.
Antonio
A
Amoroso
Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale dell'Università 37, 00185, Rome, Italy.
Edoardo
E
Rosato
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography
High-resolution CT; Interstitial lung diseases; Lung ultrasound; Systemic sclerosis