The pulmonary radiologic findings of rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

The rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is can affect multiple organs and tissues including the lung. Several pleuropulmonary manifestations are associated with rheumatoid arthritis involving the lung parenchyma, pleura, airways, and vasculature. The various pulmonary radiological findings have been defined in patients with RA.

In this study, we aimed to retrospectively evaluate of the pulmonary radiologic findings in the five patients with RA.

In the present study, pleural effusion, hydropneumothorax, chylothorax, pulmonary micronodular, macronodular and necrobiotic nodular lesions, pleural plagues, ground glass opacity and interstitial lung diseases were defined according to chest radiographs and computed tomography. The most common pulmonary radiologic findings were pulmonary nodules in three of patients, necrobiotic nodule in two of patients, pleural plague in two of patients and pleural effusion in two patients. The one of them had hydropneumothorax. Interstitial lung diseases were defined in two of patients.

In conclusion, the pulmonary changes may be accompanied as a systemic component of the RA. If these changes are well recognized, they can help in the diagnosis of the RA.