Fact-sheet: Rheumatoid lung


Updated on 08/25/2020 at 4:55 PM

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Definition

Pulmonary manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis.

The association of rheumatoid arthritis and silicosis constitutes Caplan-Colinet syndrome.

Clinical features

  • Asymptomatic
  • Cough
  • Dyspnea

Laboratory findings

  • Positive RF (rheumatoid factor)
  • Positive ACPA

CT

  • Pleural thickening, effusions
  • Rheumatoid nodules (necrobiotic nodules): multiple, well-defined, rounded nodules or masses in the upper and middle lobes, peripheral
  • Cavitation
  • Diffuse interstitial lung disease (honeycombing, bilateral apical fibrocavitary lesions)
  • Bronchiectasis
  • Constrictive bronchiolitis
  • Follicular bronchitis
  • Tree-in-bud micronodules