Chest CT in Autoimmune/Collagen Vascular Disease

Dr. Kusmirek, a radiologist at the University of Wisconsin, discusses the thoracic manifestations of connective tissue diseases using chest CT scans. Connective tissue diseases are systemic inflammatory conditions with associated antibodies that can cause immune-mediated damage. Lung involvement may be a presenting feature or develop after diagnosis, and overlap syndromes are common. The lecture covers specific diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and scleroderma, detailing patterns of lung involvement and imaging findings. Dr. Kusmirek emphasizes the importance of identifying complications such as infections, malignancies, and drug-induced lung injuries. The presentation includes the analysis of CT scans of patients with connective tissue diseases, encouraging the audience to recognize patterns and suggest possible diagnoses. Overall, the talk underscores the significance of chest CT in diagnosing and managing autoimmune and collagen vascular diseases.