ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Using high resolution computed tomography (HRCT), to assess the lung involvement outcome after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (AHSCT) in patients with scleroderma (systemic sclerosis, SSc). METHODS: HCRT scans prospectively performed before (n = 9 patients) and after (n = 47) AHSCT were blindly reviewed by 2 independent investigators using the Wells score. RESULTS: After a median 60 months' followup, the overall disease extent score from HCRT scans decreased from 10 (0-45) to 4 (0-36) (p = 0.04) 6 months after AHSCT, and thereafter increased up to 36 months and stabilized; the modified Rodnan skin score fell (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The extent of SSc lung involvement on HRCT rapidly but transiently regressed after AHSCT.
