Mediastinal Lymphadenopathy in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: There are few studies regarding the characteristics of mediastinal lymphadenopathy (MN) in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Understanding its features could help radiologists interpret lung imaging more confidently.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and characteristics of MLN in patients with SSc and factors associated with MLN.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective review of medical records and high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the lungs of all patients with SSc at Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University, Thailand between 2009 and 2011 was done. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to analyze the outcomes.

RESULTS: Sixty patients were eligible for the present study; the majority of them was women (71.7%) and had diffuse SSc (71.7%). The prevalence of MLN was 56.7% (36 in 60 cases). The distribution of MLN was mainly found in two or more locations (47.1%) and had isodensity on imaging (61.3%). The median size of nodes was 1.2 cm (inter-quartile range 1, 1.4 cm). Only the pulmonary fibrosis score was significantly associated with MLN with the adjusted odds ratio of 1.2 (95% confidence interval 1.1, 1.4, p = 0.03). There was no association between MLN with other factors.

CONCLUSION: MLN was prevalent in patients with SSc. The pulmonary fibrosis score was an independent factor associated with MLN.