Serial Röntgenograms of the Chest in Periarteritis Nodosa as an Aid to Diagnosis

Radiological changes in the lungs are described in two cases of periarteritis nodosa. In Case 1, serial röntgenograms were taken over a period of five months. The radiological features which are considered to be of diagnostic help are: 1. Lesions which arise from the involvement of the pulmonary vessels, evidenced by enlarged, dense hilar shadows, widespread dense vascular markings, which appear as opaque linear or wavy shadows particularly marked at the bases. 2. Lesions in the adjacent mesenchymal structure: Hilar fibrosis and diffuse mottling, which corresponds to the anatomical distribution of the middle-sized and smaller pulmonary vessels. 3. Lesions caused by severe arterial damage with consequent involvement of the parenchyma, as evidenced by: Transitory infiltrations, widespread haziness in the middle and lower zones, but sparing the periphery.