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.