Frequency and CT findings of recurrent disease after lung transplantation

PURPOSE: To determine the frequency and computed tomographic (CT) findings of recurrence of the primary disease after lung transplantation at six Nort h American lung transplantation centers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records of 1,394 lung transplant recipients were reviewed to identify patients with recurrent primary disease: Their CT scans and pathologic specimens were reviewed. RESULTS: The frequency of disease recurrence in the six transplantation cen ters was 1% (15 of 1,394 patients), including six previously reported cases . Sarcoidosis recurred in nine (35%) of 26 transplants and was the most com mon disease to recur. Three (33%) of nine patients with recurrent sarcoidos is had correlative findings at CT. When present, CT findings were usually d ifferent at recurrence compared with pretransplantation CT findings. CONCLUSION: A relatively small percentage of patients are at risk far recur rence of primary disease following lung transplantation. Sarcoidosis is the most common disease to recur.