The clinical characteristics of non-resolving or slow-resolving pneumonia associated with the pathology of an organizing pneumonia

Seoung Ju Park,; Kyung Hyun Paeck,; Yeong Hun Choe,; So Ri Kim,; Yong Chul Lee,; Yang Keun Rhee,; Gong Yong Jin,; Heung Bum Lee,

Korean J Med > Volume 74(2); 2008 > Article

Original Article

The Korean Journal of Medicine 2008;74(2):132-138.

The clinical characteristics of non-resolving or slow-resolving pneumonia associated with the pathology of an organizing pneumonia

Seoung Ju Park, Kyung Hyun Paeck, Yeong Hun Choe, So Ri Kim, Yong Chul Lee, Yang Keun Rhee, Gong Yong Jin, Heung Bum Lee

인제 의대 부산 백병원 호흡기 내과

원저 : 조직학적 기질성 폐렴 형태인 치유되지 않는 폐렴의 임상적 고찰

박성주 . 백경현 . 최영훈 . 김소리 . 이용철 . 이양근 . 진공용 . 이흥범, Kyung Hyun Paeck, Yeong Hun Choe, So Ri Kim, Yong Chul Lee, Yang Keun Rhee, Gong Yong Jin, Heung Bum Lee

Abstract

Background/Aims : Non-resolving or slow-resolving pneumonia refers to the persistence of pulmonary infiltrates for >30 days after an initial pneumonia-like illness. Organizing pneumonia (OP) can be found on a lung biopsy in association with a number of diseases. The object of this study was to elucidate the clinical characteristics of the non-resolving pneumonia with the pathology of an OP and suggest the proper diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for the reduction of unnecessary procedures. Methods : We retrospectively analyzed 70 patients diagnosed with an OP by percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy and that met the inclusion criteria. Their pulmonary lesions were reviewed for disease resolution. Patients were divided into either a radiologically benign group (group I, n=57) or a malignancy group (group II, n=13) based on the computed tomography (CT) findings. Results : All patients in group I and 8 patients in group II improved and had a complete resolution by 81.70¡¾45.36 days. The microbiology findings showed that many infectious pathogens can lead to an OP despite antibiotic therapy. Three cases in group II were ultimately diagnosed as malignancies. Conclusions : Our data suggest that non-resolving or slow-resolving lesions were strongly suspicious for a malignancy on the CT scans, despite appearing to be benign OP pathologically; such cases should be considered for re-biopsy. In cased with pathology consistent with OP and benign CT findings, careful observation for 3 months is recommended to allow for the complete radiological resolution of the benign OP associated with infection.

Key Words: Pneumonia; Pathology; Spiral computed tomography