ABSTRACT
Radiographs illustrating the various thoracic manifestations of systemic sclerosis are shown. These include pulmonary parenchymal disease e.g. interstitial pneumonitis and pneumonia, pleural disease (pneumothorax), cardiac involvement, oesophageal disease, bony changes and soft tissue calcification. The use of chest radiography and other imaging modalities such as high resolution computerised tomography (HRCT) of the thorax is discussed.
Systemic sclerosis (SScl) is a generalised disease of the connective tissue characterised by fibrosis and vascular changes affecting the skin, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, and heart. The American College of Rheumatology has proposed that for the purpose of clinical trials and surveys, the diagnosis is made if the patient has either one major or two of the three minor criteria listed below:
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