Intrathoracic manifestations of collagen vascular diseases on high-resolution chest computed tomography* Manifestações intratorácicas das doenças do colágeno na tomografia computadorizada de alta resolução do tórax

Received May 5, 2008. Accepted after revision May 27, 2008. rheumatoid arthritis, progressive systemic sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, dermatopolymyositis, mixed connective tissue disease and Sjögren’s syndrome. Chest radiography represents the imaging method most frequently utilized in the initial evaluation of intrathoracic manifestations of collagen vascular diseases. Chest radiography, however, has low sensitivity and specificity. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is the method of choice for assessment of pulmonary abnormalities in collagen vascular diseases, offering the best correlation with histologic findings, disease severity, prognosis, evaluation of disease progression, and differential diagnosis. The aim of this manuscript is to review the main intrathoracic manifestations of collagen vascular diseases on HRCT. Silva CIS, Müller NL. Intrathoracic manifestations of collagen vascular diseases on high-resolution chest computed tomography. Radiol Bras. 2008;41(3):189–197.