[Therapeutic relevance of HRCT findings from a pneumological viewpoint.]

[Therapeutic relevance of HRCT findings from a pneumological viewpoint.]
Radiologe. 2014 Nov 30;
Authors: Suchy R, Pfeifer M
Abstract
The high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) technique is an essential component in diagnosing interstitial lung disease (ILD) as it provides important and specialized information and a much greater accuracy than chest X-rays. It contributes to a narrowing down of the differential diagnoses and is also important for planning further invasive investigations, e.g. bronchoscopy, bronchoalveolar lavage, transbronchial lung biopsy and surgical lung biopsy, if needed. An accurate diagnosis of ILD is based on a multidisciplinary discussion involving pulmonologists, radiologists and pathologists experienced in the diagnosis of ILD.The therapy approaches of five different entities of ILD are shown as examples. In hypersensitivity pneumonitis the mainstay of treatment is complete avoidance of exposure to the provoking antigen. In cryptogenic organizing pneumonia most patients recover with corticosteroid therapy with prednisolone over a period of 6 months to 1 year. In cases of sarcoidosis therapy depends on organ involvement and functional impairment but there is no durable benefit to routine treatment of patients with acute pulmonary sarcoidosis, even among those with stage II or III chest radiographs. In general, patients with severe or progressive disease will require treatment.In idiopathic pulmonary fibro...

Source: Der Radiologe - November 30, 2014 Category: Radiology Authors: Suchy R, Pfeifer M Tags: Radiologe Source Type: research