Cryptogenic organizing pneumonia: Clinical and radiological features, treatment outcomes of 17 patients, and review of the literature

Abstract

Background/aim: We evaluated patients with cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP) who attended our clinic. Materials and methods: We retrospectively investigated the clinical and radiological findings, diagnostic methods, treatment, and follow-up outcomes of 17 patients who had been histopathologically diagnosed with COP. Results: The mean age of the patients was 49.8 ± 10.4 years. The most common symptom was cough (n = 15; 88.2%) and the most common radiological finding (n = 10) was consolidation in the inferior lobes on thoracic computed tomography. The diagnosis of COP was made by open lung biopsy in 11 (64.7%) patients, transbronchial biopsy in 5 (29.4%), and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery biopsy in 1 (5.9%). The mean follow-up period was 28.7 ± 25.0 (range: 3–85) months. Twelve patients received oral corticosteroid therapy and seven of them improved without any fibrotic changes. One patient refused treatment; a chest radiography of that patient was found to be normal at the end of the 20-month follow-up period. Three patients received no other therapy, as the lesion had been completely excised. Conclusion: Common symptoms included cough and dyspnea, while the main radiological presentation of COP was consolidation. Corticosteroids are a good treatment option in general, but relapse may occur.