Type:
Educational Exhibit
Keywords:
Respiratory system, Lung, Thorax, CT-High Resolution, Education, Education and training
Authors:
P. G. J. Magalhaes1, P. F. M. Azevedo2, P. M. R. C. Patrão1, S. Teixeira1, F. Matos1, G. D. Gerediaga1, C. Albuquerque1, D. Silva1; 1Viseu/PT, 2Vila Nova De Gaia/PT
DOI:
10.26044/ecr2019/C-0656
Background
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is an inflammatory lung disease that appears secondarily to exposure and inhalation of a variety of organic and inorganic particles in a previously sensitized person.
This exposure results in an immune response directed to the distal bronchioles and alveoli with the formation of granulomatous tissue.
HP is often underdiagnosed,
as clinical manifestations are mainly nonspecific and can be caused by more than 200 different antigens,
including bacteria,
mycobacteria,
fungi,
proteins,
and chemicals.
Tobacco appears to be a protective factor,
however,
if HP exists in smokers,
it is associated with higher mortality.
This pulmonary disorder is usually divided into acute,
subacute and chronic types,
each with different presentation and expected prognosis:
- Acute presentation: episodes of dyspnea and constitutional symptoms (fever,
asthenia,...)
- Chronic presentation: dyspnea,
coughing and weight loss of insidious onset with acute episodes of exacerbation.
The diagnosis is made by combining clinical history,
serology,
bronchoalveolar lavage,
imagiology and lung biopsy,
taking however the CT scan a key role.