Pulmonary Complications of Transplantation: Radiographic Considerations

Pulmonary complications occur frequently among solid organ and HSCT recipients. Thoracic imaging is an essential tool in detecting these complications and in generating a differential diagnosis. Although the array of possibilities can sometimes be bewildering, a systematic approach to interpretation of radiographic patterns can be valuable in narrowing the differential to a few leading diagnostic considerations. In particular, the categorization of parenchymal abnormalities as airspace consolidation, ground-glass opacities, or nodules (both discrete and centrilobular) has important diagnostic implications. Additionally, distinguishing air trapping from other causes of a mosaic perfusion pattern is critical in the diagnosis of diseases of the small airways. The main patterns of parenchymal disease and the most commonly associated pathologic diagnoses are summarized in Box 1. © 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.