High-resolution computed tomography of amiodarone pulmonary toxicity

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the main findings of chest high-resolution computed tomography in patients with amiodarone pulmonary toxicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten patients - six male and four female, average age of 73.5 years - with amiodarone-induced pneumonitis have undergone chest high-resolution computed tomography. RESULTS: The most relevant tomographic findings were linear or reticular opacities in six cases (60%), small high density nodules in six cases (60%), dense consolidations in three cases (30%) and increased density in the hepatic parenchyma in five of eight cases in which there was a superior abdomen CT scan (62.5%). CONCLUSION: The high-resolution computed tomography is a valuable non-invasive test for evaluating patients with amiodarone pulmonary toxicity and should always be performed when one suspects of the presence of this disease. The finding of interlobular septa thickening associated with increased density of lesions is highly suggestive of this diagnosis.

Computed tomography; Amiodarone; Pulmonary toxicity