Lung diseases in patients with common variable immunodeficiency: chest radiographic, and computed tomographic findings

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate chest radiographic and computed tomographic (CT) findings of lung disease related to common variable immunodeficiency.

Methods: Thirty-five chest radiographs and 30 CT scans of 46 patients were assessed. Lung parenchymal abnormalities that were evaluated included airspace consolidation, ground-glass attenuation, nodules, bronchiectasis, and air trapping.

Results: On CT, ground-glass attenuation and nodules were the most frequent findings, observed in 60% (n = 18/30) and 83% (n = 25/30), respectively. Three major CT patterns were identified: airway disease (n = 13), nodules (n = 8), and parenchymal opacification (n = 6). All 13 patients with airway disease showed centrilobular opacities. One patient with peribronchial nodules showed lymphoid interstitial pneumonia, and 1 with randomly distributed nodules showed noncaseating granulomas. Patients with a CT pattern of parenchymal opacification showed lower lung predominance; surgical biopsies showed organizing pneumonia in 1 patient and lymphoid interstitial pneumonia with nonnecrotizing granulomas in another.

Conclusions: Common variable immunodeficiency is associated with 3 major CT patterns: airway disease, nodules, and parenchymal opacification.