CHEST HIGH-RESOLUTION CT IN ADULTS WITH PRIMARY HUMORAL IMMUNODEFICIENCY

The purpose of this study was to assess the findings on chest high res olution computed tomography (HRCT) in patients with primary humoral im munodeficiency. HRCT was prospectively and consecutively performed in 19 patients with primary humoral immunodeficiency, aged 15-64 years (m ean 36), and in 15 healthy subjects. HRCT results were correlated with clinical and biological data. Bronchial lesions were observed in 11 p atients (58%), consisting either of bronchial wall thickening in eight or bronchiectasis in eight; both were present in five patients. Lobar and/or segmental collapses were found in seven patients (37%), scars in eight patients (42%), interstitial lesions in six patients (32%), a nd lobular air-trapping in two patients (11%). Parenchymal collapses w ere correlated with the annual frequency of infections (p = 0.03) and with the IgA level (p = 0.01). Scars were correlated with the annual f requency of infections (p = 0.04). No correlation was found between br onchial wall thickening or bronchiectasis and the data analysed. In co nclusion, HRCT is a useful method to demonstrate lung disease in prima ry humoral immunodeficiencies, with special emphasis on branchial chan ges and interstitial lesions.