Abstract
Connective tissue diseases (CTDs) are a heterogeneous group of disorders, acquired
or hereditary, involving an autoimmune-mediated inflammation of connective tissues
in the whole body. Lung involvement is common with CTDs, and associated with significant
morbidity and mortality. Each compartment of the lung may be affected, often simultaneously,
depending on the type of CTD. In addition, the lung may show pathological changes
related to treatment, such as infection, drug reaction, and neoplasia. A multidisciplinary
approach to diagnose these patients is essential and incorporates radiological and
clinical as well as pathological data. In this review we describe the patterns of
lung disease associated with common CTDs, lung disease in pediatric CTD patients,
and newly recognized conditions.
Keywords
connective tissue diseases - interstitial pneumonia - lung - rheumatoid arthritis
- systemic lupus erythematosus - systemic sclerosis - Sjogren's syndrome - dermatomyositis
