Vasculitis & polymyalgia rheumatica
Airway computed tomography features and surgical outcomes in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis and relapsing polychondritis: a retrospective comparative study
Authors' conclusion
AAV preferentially involves the distal bronchi, whereas RP predominantly affects the central airways and is frequently associated with persistent structural airway damage.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with AAV or relapsing polychondritis (RP) with airway involvement who underwent neck and chest thin-section computed tomography (CT)
- Participants
- 56 patients
- Exposure
- AAV vs RP with airway involvement
- AAVn = 29
- RPn = 27
- Outcome
- Airway imaging features and surgical outcomes
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Airway involvement sites on CT
| Group | Value | Distal bronchi involvement | Parenchymal lung disease | Subglottic region involvement | Cervical trachea involvement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AAV | 86% | 86% | 83% | ||
| RP | 89% | 89% | 74% |
Value
AAV86%
RP89%
Distal bronchi involvement
AAV86%
RP— not stated in the abstract
Parenchymal lung disease
AAV83%
RP— not stated in the abstract
Subglottic region involvement
AAV— not stated in the abstract
RP89%
Cervical trachea involvement
AAV— not stated in the abstract
RP74%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Successful decannulation after medical treatment among those requiring tracheostomy
- Successful decannulation after medical treatment among those requiring tracheostomy: 6/7 AAV; 3/10 RP
Age at onset
- RP patients were younger at onset
Original publication
Airway computed tomography features and surgical outcomes in ANCA-associated vasculitis and relapsing polychondritis: a retrospective comparative study. Clin Exp Rheumatol. Published 26 April 2026. doi:10.
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