title: Idiopathic nonspecific interstitial pneumonia:  changes in high-resolution computed tomography on long-term follow-up.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to assess the change in findings of nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) from high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) on long-term follow-up (median, 38 months).
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review of changes in HRCT in 68 patients with NSIP (fibrotic progression, 61) with follow-up HRCT of at least 1-year interval was conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Follow-up HRCT findings showed a decreased extent of ground-glass opacity and consolidation, with increased honeycombing, traction bronchiectasis, and architectural distortion (all P < 0.05). Radiological improvement was seen in 36%, stability was seen in 23%, and fibrotic progression was seen with recurrence in 13% and without recurrence in 28%. In 3 patients (4.9%), HRCT converted to a definite usual interstitial pneumonia pattern. Honeycombing and reticulation were independent predictors for mortality in fibrotic NSIP (P < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although most of the follow-up HRCT scans showed improvement in the extent of ground-glass opacity and consolidation, approximately one third showed fibrotic progression or recurrence, with transition from NSIP to definite usual interstitial pneumonia pattern.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan, College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Mi-Young
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jin Woo
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Kyung-Hyun
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Do
authors.forename: Se Jin
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: Thomas V
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Colby
authors.forename: Dong Soon
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*