Utility of high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in diagnosis and management of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis - A study of 10 cases"

Objective/Aim: The aim of our article is to present our early experience to evaluate High Resolution CT (HRCT) findings in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) and to stress upon its clinical utility. Materials & Methods: A prospective study of ten patients was done at and tertiary care government hospital. Study population comprises seven women and three men. Patients with chronic respiratory symptoms, chest radiograph showing typical reticular pattern or with clinical suspicion of IPF were selected. All patients underwent HRCT examination. Chest radiograph findings were compared with the HRCT findings in all patients. HRCT findings of our study were compared with the other studies. Results: From the study it was seen that IPF is most commonly manifested by the combination of HRCT findings, which includes peripheral (100%) and lower lobe predominance (80%) of the distribution of the lesions, evidences of intralobular septal thickening (100%), honeycombing (90%), traction bronchiectasis (90%) and parenchymal distortion (100%). Conclusion: In conclusion, HRCT is accurate and superior in the confident diagnosis of IPF. HRCT findings in advance stage of IPF are characteristic. HRCT determines the disease activity and extent of IPF better than chest radiograph. When HRCT findings are characteristic in appropriate clinical settings, HRCT may obviate a need for open lung biopsy.