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Subacute hypersensitivity pneumonitis

Case contributed by Ben Hudson
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Patient presents with a few months history of progressive dyspnea and cough. Non-smoker.

Patient Data

Age: Adult
Gender: Female

HRCT Thorax

ct

Findings include:

  • Centrilobular ground glass nodules with an upper and mid zone predominance
  • More confluent ground glass opacification in the mid zones
  • Area of lobular sparing in the lung bases

Case Discussion

This case demonstrates the radiological features of subacute hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

On further questioning the patient had a long history of exposure to pet birds.

The patient was treated with oral steroids over a period of months with symptomatic improvement.

Respiratory bronchiolitis can have a similar appearance, but the ground glass nodules tend be more sparse/patchy in distribution, and is found in smokers.

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