Chronic pulmonary microaspiration: high-resolution computed tomographic findings in 13 patients. 2014

Jorge L Pereira-Silva, and Cleonice Isabela S Silva, and Cesar A Araújo Neto, and Thamine L Andrade, and Nestor L Müller
*Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Federal University of Bahia †Department of Radiology, Delfin Clinic and Portuguese Hospital ‡Image Memorial §Clínica AMO (Assistência Multidisciplinar em Oncologia), Bahia, Brazil ∥Department of Radiology, University of British Columbia, BC, Canada.

OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to describe the high-resolution computed tomography (CT) manifestations of chronic pulmonary microaspiration, a condition characterized by recurrent subclinical aspiration of small droplets of gastric contents or foreign particles into the lungs. METHODS We reviewed the CT findings in 13 consecutive patients with clinical (n=13) and histologic (n=1) diagnosis of chronic pulmonary microaspiration. Twelve patients presented with persistent cough, but none had a clinical history of acute aspiration. One patient was asymptomatic. All patients had volumetric CT of the chest reconstructed using thin sections (1 to 1.3 mm) at the time of diagnosis. The CT scans were interpreted by 3 chest radiologists who reached a final decision by consensus. RESULTS All 13 patients had centrilobular nodules and ground-glass opacities that involved mainly the dependent lung regions in 11 patients and had a random distribution in 2. Other common findings included branching opacities (n=10), small foci of consolidation (n=7), septal lines (n=5), and bronchiectasis (n=7). The 13 patients had at least 1 risk factor for aspiration including gastroesophageal reflux (n=9), hiatus hernia (n=6), esophageal dysfunction (n=3), oropharyngeal dysphagia (n=1), esophageal carcinoma (n=1), and use of sedatives (n=2). CONCLUSIONS The high-resolution CT manifestations of chronic pulmonary microaspiration consist mainly of centrilobular nodules and ground-glass opacities that tend to involve predominately the dependent regions. Branching opacities and small foci of consolidation are seen in the majority of cases.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008168 Lung Either of the pair of organs occupying the cavity of the thorax that effect the aeration of the blood. Lungs
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D011015 Pneumonia, Aspiration A type of lung inflammation resulting from the aspiration of food, liquid, or gastric contents into the upper RESPIRATORY TRACT. Acid Aspiration Syndrome,Aspiration Pneumonia,Gastric Acid Aspiration Syndrome,Mendelson Syndrome,Mendelson's Syndrome,Acid Aspiration Syndromes,Aspiration Pneumonias,Mendelsons Syndrome,Pneumonias, Aspiration,Syndrome, Acid Aspiration,Syndrome, Mendelson,Syndrome, Mendelson's,Syndromes, Acid Aspiration
D002908 Chronic Disease Diseases which have one or more of the following characteristics: they are permanent, leave residual disability, are caused by nonreversible pathological alteration, require special training of the patient for rehabilitation, or may be expected to require a long period of supervision, observation, or care (Dictionary of Health Services Management, 2d ed). For epidemiological studies chronic disease often includes HEART DISEASES; STROKE; CANCER; and diabetes (DIABETES MELLITUS, TYPE 2). Chronic Condition,Chronic Illness,Chronically Ill,Chronic Conditions,Chronic Diseases,Chronic Illnesses,Condition, Chronic,Disease, Chronic,Illness, Chronic
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000368 Aged A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available. Elderly
D000369 Aged, 80 and over Persons 80 years of age and older. Oldest Old
D012189 Retrospective Studies Studies used to test etiologic hypotheses in which inferences about an exposure to putative causal factors are derived from data relating to characteristics of persons under study or to events or experiences in their past. The essential feature is that some of the persons under study have the disease or outcome of interest and their characteristics are compared with those of unaffected persons. Retrospective Study,Studies, Retrospective,Study, Retrospective

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