Diagnostic approach to the patient with diffuse lung disease

• Published in: Mayo Clinic proceedings Vol. 77; no. 11; p. 1221
• Main Authors: Ryu, Jay H, Olson, Eric J, Midthun, David E, Swensen, Stephen J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01-11-2002
• Subjects: Cryptogenic Organizing Pneumonia - diagnosis; Cryptogenic Organizing Pneumonia - diagnostic imaging; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Lung Diseases, Interstitial - diagnosis; Lung Diseases, Interstitial - diagnostic imaging; Male; Pulmonary Fibrosis - diagnosis; Pulmonary Fibrosis - diagnostic imaging; Radiographic Image Enhancement - methods; Sensitivity and Specificity; Severity of Illness Index; Tomography, X-Ray Computed - methods
• ISSN: 0025-6196
• DOI: 10.4065/77.11.1221

Detecting diffuse lung infiltrates on chest radiography is a common clinical problem. Many diverse pathological processes can cause diffuse lung disease. The presentation of these diseases can vary from acute to chronic and includes a side array of radiological patterns that are optimally evaluated on high-resolution computed tomography of the chest. In diagnosing diffuse lung disease, it is helpful to focus on a few pivotal parameters to narrow the broad differential diagnosis. We describe the diagnostic approach to a patient with diffuse lung disease usingthe following key parameters: tempo of the pathological process, characteristics of the radiological pattern, and clinical context.