Detection of pulmonary thrombi in schistosomal corpulmonale by thoracic computed tomography

Purpose: The present work aimed at studying the high resolusion computed tomography (HRCT) in the radiological evaluation of cardiopulmonary schistosomiasis (CPS). Methods: Thirteen pts with CPS were studied by HRCT with IV infusion of contrast material, plain chest radiography (XR), & echo Doppler. Mean pulmonary artery (PA) pressure was calculated by Doppler. Diameters (in mm) of main PA, right PA and left PA were measured from CT and echo. Mean of 3 measurements of the widest diameter were taken. Results: Echo CT Main PA 37-79 (53+16) 35-90 (56+18) R. PA 22-60 (36+12) 23-70 (40+16) L. PA 22-56 (33+10) 25-75 (50+14)* PA press. 40-62 (50+8) mmHg Thrombosis 4 pts 7 (53.8%) *p<0.05 There was no correlation between PA pressure and size measured by echo or CT. HRCT findings: peribronchovascular interstitial thickening was present in all cases, interlobular septal thickening in 10 (77%), prominent pulmonary vessels at the lung periphery with increase in their caliber and tortousity was detected in 10. Interstitial nodules were present in 1. Ground glass opacity was detected in 1. Conclusions: HRCT was superior than conventional CT in assessment of fine parenchymal details. Detection of PA thrombi by HRCT in CPS is a recent finding.