Diagnostic approach to the patient with diffuse lung disease.
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.
Ryu
Jay H
JH
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn 55905, USA.
Olson
Eric J
EJ
Midthun
David E
DE
Swensen
Stephen J
SJ
D018549:Cryptogenic Organizing Pneumonia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*