Radiological diagnosis of interstitial lung diseases

Abstract

Introduction. Interstitial lung diseases include the entities of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, nonspecific interstitial pneumonia, cryptogenic organizing pneumonia, acute interstitial pneumonia, respiratory bronchiolitis-associated interstitial lung disease, desquamative interstitial pneumonia, and lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia. Recent introduction of high-resolution computed tomography has made the diagnosis of interstitial lung disease much easier. Usual interstitial pneumonia A predominantly subpleural reticulation and honeycombing at the basal posterior part of the lung with a progression to anterior and superior parts are characteristic of usual interstitial pneumonia/ idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Nonspecific interstitial pneumonia Typical findings of nonspecific interstitial pneumonia are bilateral, relatively symmetrical subpleural ground glass opacifications and irregular linear opacities. Desquamative interstitial pneumonia is characterized by diffuse symmetrical ground glass opacifications. Respiratory bronchiolitisassociated interstitial lung disease Centrilobular nodules and irregular ground glass opacifications are present. Cryptogenic organizing pneumonia Subpleural and peribronchial consolidations are prominent findings that are not present in other idiopathic interstitial pneumonias. Acute interstitial pneumonia. Bilateral ground-glass opacifications are present and areas of peripheral consolidations may also be seen in acute interstitial pneumonia. Lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia. Diffuse or patchy areas of ground glass opacification with centrilobular nodules and occasionally well-defined cysts are seen. Conclusion. Imaging plays a crucial role in identifying interstitial lung diseases but precise diagnosis requires a dynamic interdisciplinary approach that correlates clinical, radiological and pathologic features.