|
|
||||||||
Guest Access | Sign In via User Name/Password |
|||||||||
Chest, Vol 86, 489-492, Copyright © 1984 by American College of Chest Physicians
ARTICLES |
CG Kallenberg, HM Jansen, JD Elema and TH The
We describe a 38-year-old woman with systemic sclerosis of recent onset and progressive dyspnea. Studies of pulmonary function revealed a restrictive ventilatory disorder with decreased diffusing capacity. Interstitial fibrosis and infiltration with lymphocytes and plasma cells with formation of follicles were observed in the lung biopsy. Analysis of fluid from bronchoalveolar lavage showed an increase in the total number of cells, with a relative increase in neutrophils. Also, the relative amount of the immunoglobulins, IgG and IgM, was increased. During corticosteroid treatment, rapid improvement of pulmonary volumes occurred, together with disappearance of neutrophils and an increase in the percentage of lymphocytes in the lavage fluid. Later on, the total number of cells in the fluid from bronchoalveolar lavage and the percentage of lymphocytes reached normal values. Bronchoalveolar lavage may be of value in assessing and monitoring pulmonary disease in patients with systemic sclerosis.
This article has been cited by other articles:
![]() |
D. M Mitchell and A. Woodcock Introduction Thorax, August 1, 1999; 54(90002): S1 - 1. [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
B. T. SOCIETY and S. O. C. COMMITTEE The Diagnosis, Assessment and Treatment of Diffuse Parenchymal Lung Disease in Adults---British Thoracic Society recommendations Thorax, April 1, 1990; 54(90001): 1S - 28. [Full Text] |
||||
| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |