CT features of pulmonary lesions related to Wegener's granulomatosis

Purpose. - The aim of this study was to determine CT scan value for the fol low-up of patients with pleuropulmonary lesions related to Wegener's granul omatosis. Methods. - Retrospective study of ten patients who were diagnosed with diff use Wegener's granulomatosis including lung involvement and for whom mean f ollow-up was 23 months (range 4-61). Results. - During early stages of the disease, the most common finding was the existence of either nodules (90% of the patients) or consolidations (10 0% of the patients). CT scan controls showed that nodules disappeared withi n 6 months in 60% of patients and had completely resolved after 12 month. L inear opacities relating to traction developed, replacing subpleural nodule s. A pneumothorax occurred in two patients who had excavated subpleural nod ules. Consolidations disappeared in 44% of the patients, most frequently wi thin 4 months. When consolidations persisted, they were replaced by alveola r infiltrates accompanied by bronchiolectasies and linear opacities. Regard ing either nodules or consolidations, CT features related to relapse were s imilar to those of initial lesions in 40% of the cases. Conclusion. - The main features of pleuropulmonary lesions relating to Wege ner's granulomatosis were subpleural nodules that either disappeared with, however, subsequent linear opacities sequelae, or were complicated by the o ccurrence of pneumothorax.