Active disease and @entity16 in treated XXXX : an observational study using pulmonary high-resolution computed tomography.

@entity1 @entity16 @entity358 @entity2883
The purpose of this study was to determine to what extent high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the lungs can distinguish active inflammatory disease from inactive cicatricial disease in @entity1 treated for @entity2883 ( @entity2883 ). Twenty-eight @entity2883 @entity1 with active @entity358 underwent a first HRCT examination immediately before standard immunosuppressive treatment and a second examination after clinical remission had been achieved. Lesions remaining after treatment were categorized as @entity16 and were compared with findings during active disease to see by what features active and cicatricial disease can be distinguished. During active disease 17 @entity1 had nodules/masses, 12 had ground-glass opacities, 6 had septal lines and 6 had non-septal lines. After treatment, ground-glass opacities had resolved completely. Nodules/masses had resolved in 8 @entity1 and had diminished in 7 @entity1 . Residual nodules were distinguished from nodules/masses in active disease by lack of cavitation and a diameter of mostly <15 mm. In one-third of @entity1 lines resolved, but in 8 instances new lines evolved during immunosuppression. During a follow-up period of a median 26.5 months (range 20.0-33.8), @entity1 with residual nodules or lines had no more relapses than @entity1 with completely cleared lungs. Treated @entity2883 leaves substantial @entity16 . High-resolution CT does assist in the distinction between active and inactive lesions. Ground-glass opacities, cavitating nodules/masses and masses measuring more than 3 cm represent active disease ordinarily. Non-cavitary small nodules and septal or non-septal lines can be either active or cicatricial lesions. The nature of these lesions needs to be clarified by longitudinal observation.
