J Korean Radiol Soc.  2000 Jan;42(1):83-90. 10.3348/jkrs.2000.42.1.83.

Simple Pulmonary Eosinophilia (Loeffler's Syndrome): Chest Radiographic and CT Findings

• Jung KJ
• Lee KS
• Kim TS
• Chung MP
• Choi DC
• Kwon OJ

• KMID: 2103507
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jkrs.2000.42.1.83

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of our study is to describe the chest radiographic and CT findings of simple pulmonary eosinophilia.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Twenty-six patients with simple pulmonary eosinophilia under went chest radiography and CT scanning; the results were analyzed retrospectively by two chest radiologists, focusing on the patterns and distribution of the parenchymal abnormalities.
RESULTS
The chest radiographs were normal in eight patients (31%), while among the remaining 18 patients, they showed subtle opacity (n=9), nodules (n=8), consolidation (n=2), and mass (n=1). Fo l l ow-up chest radiographs (n=18) demonstrated com-plete (n=16) or partial (n=1) resolution of parenchymal lesions or migratory lesions (n=1). On CT, nodule(s) (n=19) were most commonly seen, followed by ground-glass opacity (n=16), consolidation (n=3), and mass (n=1). A peripheral halo surrounding a nodule or an area of consolidation was seen in 18 patients. The nodules(s) (n=19) were subpleural (n=13) or random (n=6). Areas of ground-glass opacity (n=16) were subpleural (n=13), random (n=2), or central (n=1). All lesions were patchy ratherthan diffuse. Fo l l ow-up CT in nine patients showed complete (n=7) or partial (n=2) resolution of parenchymal lesions.
CONCLUSION
Chest radiographs of patients with simple pulmonary eosinophilia often r eveal no abnormality. The most common finding is subtle opacity or nodule(s), while CT reveals transient nodule(s) with a surrounding halo or transient areas of ground-glass opacity.

Keyword

Lung, abnormalities; Lung, CT; Lung, diseases; Lung, nodule; Pneumonia, eosinophilic

MeSH Terms

Humans
Pulmonary Eosinophilia*
Radiography
Radiography, Thoracic*
Retrospective Studies
Thorax*
Tomography, X-Ray Computed