A practical approach to high-resolution CT of diffuse lung disease

Diffuse lung disease presents a variety of high-resolution CT findings reflecting its complex pathology, and provides diagnostic challenge to radiologists. Frequent modification of detailed pathological classification makes it difficult to keep up with the latest understanding. In this review, we describe a practical approach to high-resolution CT diagnosis of diffuse lung disease, emphasizing (1) analysis of “distribution” of the abnormalities, (2) interpretation of “pattern” in relation to distribution, (3) utilization of associated imaging findings and clinical information, and (4) chronicity of the findings. This practical approach will help radiologists establish a way to interpret high-resolution CT, leading to pin-point diagnosis or narrower differential diagnoses of diffuse lung diseases.