European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background: Interstitial lung diseases are heterogeneous group of disorders of the lower respiratory tract that are characterized by both acute and chronic inflammation and a generally irreversible and relentless process of fibrosis in the interstitium and the alveolar walls. High-resolution computed tomography of the chest has become an invaluable tool in the diagnostic process of interstitial lung diseases. Present study was aimed to study characteristics of interstitial lung disease using HRCT in clinically suspected cases.
Material and Methods: Present study was single-center, cohort descriptive and observational study conducted in patients of any age, gender, with clinically suspected interstitial lung disease referred for HRCT.
Results: Majority of patients were found in the age group of 60-69 years (45%), were male (65%) & had history of smoking (42.5%). Major chief complaints were cough (55%), breathlessness (25%), dry cough (15%) and cough with fever (5%). Out of total of 40 patients, 22(55%) patients showed HRCT pattern reflecting Usual Interstitial Pneumonia (UIP) and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), 10(25%) patients showed Nonspecific Interstitial Pneumonia (NSIP), 5(12.5%) patients had Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis (HSP) as well as 2(5%) patients had cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP) while only 1 patient (2.5%) showed changes of respiratory bronchiolitis-associated interstitial lung disease (RB-ILD). Maximum no of patients had bronchiectasis (57.50%), reticulation (42.50%), honeycombing (35.00%), ground glass opacities (32.50%) & consolidation (5.00%). Out of total of 40 patients, only 2 (9.09%) patient shows regression in UIP in follow-up scan, while others show progression 20(90.91%). 3 each shows progression in HSP (60%) and NSIP (30%), however in COP(100%) all patients show regression.
Conclusion: Based on the HRCT features a histospecific diagnosis can be reached in most cases of Idiopathic Interstitial Pneumonias obviating the need for biopsy.