High-resolution CT of the lung: pitfalls in the diagnosis of infiltrative lung disease.

Abstract

H igh-resolution CT (HRCT) is an established technique for evaluating acute or chronic infiltrative lung diseases. However, many potential pitfalls exist that may influence image analysis. Such pitfalls may result from technical factors such as window settings, tube current, and the reconstruction algorithm, or from patientrelated artifacts such as body position and cardiac and respiratory motion. Diagnostic procedures that the patient has already undergone, such as transbronchial biopsy or bronchoalveolar lavage, and redistribution of blood flow due to vascular or airway abnormalities may also mimic infiltrative lung disease. The aims of this essay are to illustrate some important pitfalls in evaluating HRCT images and to make recommendations as to how to avoid these pitfalls.