Highlights of HRCT imaging in IPF

N Sverzellati

doi:10.1186/1465-9921-14-s1-s3

Abstract

High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) imaging has a central role in the diagnosis of interstitial lung diseases, particularly in the evaluation of patients with suspected idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). In approximately half of cases, HRCT scans are sufficient to allow a confident IPF diagnosis. Advances in HRCT scanning and interpretation have facilitated improved accuracy for use in diagnosing IPF, eliminating the need for a surgical biopsy in many patients. HRCT may also have a role to play in predicting the prognosis of the disease;. The role of routine follow-up with HRCT to monitor patients with IPF remains unclear due to lack of sufficient evidence, although, sometimes follow-up HRCT might be necessary to rule out progressive disease in patients with undetermined diagnosis. Advances in the field of HRCT imaging are discussed, along with insights into the clinical utility of this procedure in the diagnosis and management of IPF.

Highlights

High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) may substantially narrow the differential diagnosis for most cases with clinically suspected interstitial lung disease (ILD)
HRCT is an essential tool for the evaluation of patients with suspected idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and has been increasingly used in several drug trials as a surrogate index for assessing treatment response [4,5,6,7]
The major drawback of the volumetric technique is the high radiation dose exposure. Such a concern should be taken into account when examining young patients with suspected ILD for whom standard noncontiguous HRCT should be considered as they deliver about one-fourth of the dose of standard volumetric HRCT [10]

Summary

Introduction

Introduction High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) may substantially narrow the differential diagnosis for most cases with clinically suspected interstitial lung disease (ILD). HRCT is an essential tool for the evaluation of patients with suspected idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and has been increasingly used in several drug trials as a surrogate index for assessing treatment response [4,5,6,7]. Volumetric HRCT acquisition allows for better differentiation between honeycombing and traction bronchiectasis which may be proved crucial to diagnose or rule out IPF.

Results

Conclusion