RESUMEN
Objective To study the imaging findings of the chest disease due to intravenous heroin abuse. Methods Twenty five cases of clinically confirmed chest disease due to intravenous heroin abuse were retrospectively analyzed. 25 cases had conventional X ray film, 6 cases had CT scanning, and 6 cases had echocardiography scanning. Results On X ray and CT, the following signs were found: lung making manifold ( n =5), small patchy shadow ( n =15), pneumatocele ( n =16), small cavity ( n =16), small node ( n =7), pleural effusion ( n =8), pneumothorax ( n =2), hydropneumothorax ( n =6), pulmonary edema ( n =2), megacardia ( n =11), multiple shaped lesion ( n =20). On echocardiography, tricuspid vegetation ( n =4) and tricuspid insufficiency ( n =4) were found. Conclusion The X ray and CT manifestations of chest inflammation due to intravenous heroin abuse are multiple. The multiple small cavities and pneumatoceles sign are of some value in the diagnosis of lung inflammation due to intravenous heroin abuse among young patients.