High-resolution CT of the chest in four patients with pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis or pulmonary venoocclusive disease

OBJECTIVE: Clinical differentiation of isolated pulmonary hypertensive arteriopathy from pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis or pulmonary venoocclusive disease can be difficult on a clinical basis alone. Differentiation is important because misdiagnosis of pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis or pulmonary venoocclusive disease may lead to severe vasodilator-induced pulmonary edema. The objective of our study was to determine whether high-resolution CT of the chest could distinguish pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis or pulmonary venoocclusive disease from isolated pulmonary hypertensive arteriopathy. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary hypertension in patients who also have pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis or pulmonary venoocclusive disease shows characteristics on high-resolution CT that are not seen in patients with isolated pulmonary hypertensive arteriopathy.