SCLERODERMA: RELATION OF PULMONARY CHANGES TO ESOPHAGEAL DISEASE

Abstract

In 79 cases of scleroderma, pulmonary involvement was found in 16 (20%). Pulmonary changes were studied in 57 cases. Clinically, dyspnea was the most common complaint. Radiologically, the picture is that of fibrosis with occasional cyst formation, mostly confined to the bases. Cor pulmonale is a late change in the progressive fibrosis. In 0.5 of the cases cystic bronchiolar hyperplasia is demonstrated. Esophageal lesions are found in only 56% of cases collected from the literature and 69% of the present series. Thus aspiration pneumonia as the primary cause of the pulmonary disease is eliminated.