Abstract
Introduction: Three-dimensional computed tomography (CT) of the coronary arteries is used frequently in coronary disease screening. Besides yielding information on the heart and coronary arteries, these examinations cover the lungs, chest wall, spine, and upper abdomen. We examined the prevalence of pulmonary disease among the noncardiac findings in patients undergoing coronary CT.
Patients and methods: This retrospective observational study included patients who were suspected of having coronary disease and underwent coronary CT at our hospital between April 2014 and March 2015.
Results: Coronary CT was performed in 1338 patients. Of these, 158 (158/1338; 11.8%) had abnormal lung-field shadowing. (Pleural effusion from heart failure was excluded.) Fifty-eight patients were referred to the respiratory medicine department. In the 158 patients, we were able to diagnose pulmonary disease (pulmonary emphysema, 38; interstitial pneumonia, 27; intrapulmonary lymph node, 16; bronchiectasis, 10; pulmonary cyst, 9; lung cancer, 6; nontuberculous mycobacteria, 4; inflammatory change,15; other diseases, 36). Seven patients (7/1338; 0.5%) required bronchoscopy. The presence of coronary lesions on coronary CT was significantly correlated with pulmonary emphysema but not with other pulmonary diseases.
Conclusions: One hundred fifty-eight patients (11.8%) had abnormal lung-field shadowing and 6 (0.4%) had lung cancer. Coronary lesion presence on coronary CT was associated with pulmonary emphysema. Coronary CT revealed serious pulmonary disease in small numbers of patients. Close cooperation between cardiologists and pulmonary medicine physicians is important for optimal patient management.
- Copyright ©the authors 2016