Table of Contents
What is an NSIP pattern?
CT scans of patients with NSIP show a typical “ground glass” pattern that represents interstitial inflammation, and is usually seen in the cellular form. Scarring, or fibrosis, will be seen in the fibrotic form. Occasionally, further workup is needed depending on the CT findings and clinical history.
What does interstitial lung disease look like on CT scan?
ILD may result in four patterns of abnormal opacity on chest radiographs and CT scans: linear, reticular, nodular, and reticulonodular (Fig. 3.1). These patterns are more accurately and specifically defined on CT. A linear pattern is seen when there is thickening of the interlobular septa, producing Kerley lines.
What is the most diagnosed interstitial lung disease?
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is the most common disease of this type. There are also dozens of known causes of ILD, including: Autoimmune diseases (in which the immune system attacks the body) such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, and scleroderma.
What is the difference between a CT scan and a high-resolution CT scan?
A CT scan of the chest uses X-rays to obtain images of the lung tissue. The images are obtained in “slices” or thin views that are put together to form a picture. The slices of an HRCT are much thinner than with a standard CT scan giving a more detailed picture.
Can interstitial lung disease be misdiagnosed?
With vague symptoms, interstitial lung disease (ILD) is often overlooked or misdiagnosed. If that happens, the consequences can be grave.
Does NSIP go away?
Outlook. In general, the life expectancy for NSIP is better than for people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Patients usually survive for five years after diagnosis, with 26-40% living for more than ten years.
What are the histologic manifestations of nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP)?
Nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) has variable clinical, pathologic, and radiologic manifestations. Cellular and fibrotic NSIP are the two main histologic subtypes and differ from one another in the degree of inflammation and fibrosis.
What is the histologic difference between NSIP and NSIP with fibrosis?
Cellular and fibrotic NSIP are the two main histologic subtypes and differ from one another in the degree of inflammation and fibrosis. It is important to differentiate NSIP from other diffuse lung diseases, especially usual interstitial pneumonia and hypersensitivity pneumonitis, owing to differences in prognosis and treatment.
Which CT findings are characteristic of NSIP?
Ground-glass opacity is a major CT feature of NSIP and is found in nearly all cases. However, prominent ground-glass abnormality is a common finding in many diffuse lung diseases, including all of the IIPs except UIP (, Fig 14 ).
Which imaging features are characteristic of advanced interstitial pneumonitis (IP)?
A bilateral pulmonary infiltrative pattern with volume loss of lower lobes may be seen in those with advanced disease. Imaging features can overlap between the cellular and fibrotic types, as well as usual interstitial pneumonitis (UIP), in as high as 30% of patients.