Scleroderma with NSIP

Case contributed by Hani Makky Al Salam
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Known case of scleroderma presented with shortness of breath.

Patient Data

Age: 30 years
Gender: Female

Chest

x-ray

Unremarkable chest radiograph.

Chest

ct

CT scan of the chest shows scattered subpleural small cysts not reaching the degree of honeycombing (microcystic honeycombing). 

Dilated lower esophagus.

Case Discussion

Subpleural cysts are features of NSIP, but compared to those of UIP, these cysts are smaller and limited in extent. The term "microcystic honeycombing" is used for these cystic changes in NSIP, as opposed to the macrocystic honeycombing seen in UIP.

Scleroderma patients tend to have NSIP changes rather than UIP in the majority.

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