Significance of the "halo" sign for progression and regression of nodular pulmonary amyloidosis: radiographic-pathological correlation (2005:6b).

Abstract

We describe a case of a systemic amyloidosis of kappa-AL type, presenting at CT as focal lung parenchymal nodules or areas of consolidation with or without a halo,showing different sizes and morphologic kinetics at follow-up. Lesions accompanied by a halo revealed faster progression and earlier response to chemotherapy with almost complete resolution after high dose therapy with a cytostatic alkylating agent(Melphalan) and autologous peripheral stem cell transplantation than their counterparts without a halo. Amyloid deposition was histologically confirmed, and severe inflammatory activity was found in and at the margins of the amyloidomas, the latter correlating in CT with the halo sign. In our case, this sign had a high prediction for growth kinetics and response to therapy of pulmonary amyloid.