Bronchoalveolar lavage for evaluation and management of scleroderma disease of the lung.

摘要: Fibrosing alveolitis (FA) is a frequent and often fatal complication of systemic sclerosis (SSC). Alveolar inflammation has been recognized as primary event in the pulmonary manifestation SSC. To evaluate significance SSC, we performed bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) correlated generated data with changes lung function over time. Seventy nine SSC patients involvement were followed for 56.8 +/- 3.1 wk (mean SEM) repeat test at end follow-up period. During follow-up, 38 treated immunosuppressive regimen. For evaluation, assigned to two groups according whether their BAL cell differential was normal (inactive BAL) or abnormal (active BAL: i.e., polymorphonuclear leukocytes > 5% and/or lymphocytes 15%). Active associated more severe impairment than inactive BAL, active deteriorated during if untreated. In contrast, stabilized improved. summary, characterized by progressive disease patients, significant positive effect therapy on course observed BAL.