[Imaging findings in intersitial lung diseases].
Subacute and chronic diffuse interstitial lung diseases Computed tomography (CT) plays an important role in all stages of management: positive diagnosis, etiological diagnosis, evaluation of lesions, ongoing monitoring, screening for complications, and prognosis. The etiological diagnosis is based on the imaging and analysis of patterns or groups of basic lesions often characteristics of a disease. Assessment of the images, the patient history, and the epidemiologic, clinical, laboratory, functional and cytologic data generally make it possible to reach a diagnosis. A pulmonary biopsy is rarely necessary. Acute diffuse interstitial lung diseases In the absence of an obvious clinical direction, CT, electrocardiography, and echocardiography are the first-line examinations to identify or rule out cardiogenic edema. CT can be used to guide bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), widely used when the patient's respiratory condition permits. BAL can provide a diagnosis of diverse infections or help determine the cytologic type of alveolitis. CT also makes it possible to evaluate the lesions and plays a role in assessing severity. It makes it possible to choose the best sampling method and in principle directs sampling towards the most useful areas. It allows monitoring of disease course, screening of some complications, and precise localizing of tubes, drains, and catheters. Finally, it is used to assess the sequelae.
Brauner
Michel
M
Service de radiologie, Université Paris-Nord 13, UFR SMBH et hôpital Avicenne, F-93009 Bobigny, France. michel.brauner@avc.aphp.fr
Ben Romdhane
Habib
H
Brillet
Pierre-Yves
PY
Freynet
Olivia
O
Dion
Geneviève
G
Valeyre
Dominique
D
D000208:Acute Disease; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011859:Radiography