What is the role of chest imaging in primary immunodeficiency disorders? About twelve cases

Purpose: There are currently more than 200 recognized primary immunodeficiency disorders (PIDDs) Pulmonary complications of PIDDs are common including infectious and non infectious disorders leading to morbidity and mortality in these patients. The purpose of this study was to focus on the radiologic findings in patients with primary immunodeficiency disorder. Methods and Materials: Retrospective study performed in twelve patients with primary immunodeficiency disorder, aged between two and forty years. All patients underwent chest X-ray and a high resolution Computed Tomography Results: In our series, the types of primary immunodeficiency disorder were distributed as follows: common variable immune deficiency(n=4), hyper IGM syndrome (n=1), x-linked agammaglobulinemia(n=1), IGA deficiency(n=1), ataxia telangiectasia(n=1), HLA2 deficiency(n=1), chronic septic granulomatosis (n=2) and interleukin 12 receptor deficiency(n=1) Chest x-ray was abnormal in ten cases with cystic(n=1) and cylindrical bronchiectasis(n=4), non-systematized parenchymal opacity(n = 3), parietal syndrome(n=1) and diffuse nodular syndrome (n=1). HRCT results were: Bronchial lesions(n=6), mucoid impactions and lobular air-trapping(n=3), lobar and/or segmental condensations(n=6), interstitial lesions with lung fibrosis(n=1), parietal abscess with invasion of the pulmonary parenchyma(n=1), diffuse nodules with a ubiquitous distribution corresponding to a miliary(n=1) and associated hilar and mediastinal adenopathies(n=6) Conclusion: Medical imaging, especially computed tomography (CT), plays a crucial role in patient management by allowing initial identification of thoracic changes and monitoring of the response to therapy