Chest Imaging

Pulmonary venoocclusive disease

a rare entity resulting from diffuse endothelial proliferation that leads to the occlusion of small pulmonary veins. The consequence of such occlusion is a severe pulmonary venous hypertension. This disorder represents a nonspecific response to a wide variety of injuries. It may be seen in association with viral infections, environmental toxins, chemotherapy, radiation and autoimmune diseases. The prognosis of this disorder is poor, death occurring within a few years. Radiographic features are similar to those of pulmonary venous hypertension with interstitial pulmonary oedema. The CT findings include the presence of regular interlobular septal thickening associated with multifocal areas of ground glass attenuation. A mosaic perfusion pattern is often present related to pulmonary arterial hypertension. When pulmonary arteries are enlarged, the presence of the findings together with normal sized pulmonary veins and left atrium is highly suggestive the diagnosis of pulmonary venoocclusive disease.

PG