HRCT evaluation of interstitial lung diseases with clinical correlation: Study of 50 patients in a tertiary level hospital of Jharkhand, India

Rajeev Kumar Ranjan; Paras Nath Ram; Suresh Kumar Toppo

Volume : VIII, Issue : IX, September - 2019

HRCT evaluation of interstitial lung diseases with clinical correlation: Study of 50 patients in a tertiary level hospital of Jharkhand, India

Rajeev Kumar Ranjan, Paras Nath Ram, Suresh Kumar Toppo

Abstract :

Background: Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), also called diffuse infiltrative lung diseases, are a heterogeneous group of disorders that predominantly affect the lung parenchyma and vary widely in etiology, clinicoradiologic presentation, histopathologic features, and clinical course. High resolution computed tomography(HRCT) is the most accurate noninvasive modality for evaluation of ILD. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the relevance of HRCT along with clinical correlation in diagnosis of interstitial lung diseases. Materials & methods: A prospective study was conducted over a period of 18 months from march 2015 to september 2016 on 50 patients who presented with clinical symptoms and x-ray features suggestive of interstitial lung diseases. HRCT chest was done in all patients on 16 slice seimens somatom CT scanner in supine position using standard HRCT protocol. Parenchymal abnormalities were detected and categorized for specific diagnosis of ILD. Results: In the present study diffuse lung disease was most commonly found in the age group of 51-60years(38% of patients) . Males were more commonly affected(64% males). In this study 27 patients(54%) were smoker. Dust exposure was noted in 11(22%). Clinical correlation suggest that clubbing seen in 26 patients(52%). Major complaint was progressive dyspnoea(98%) followed by dry cough(82%). On auscultation crepts noted in 41(82%). Blood Oxygen saturation diminished in 32(64%). Chest x-ray was normal in 12 patients where HRCT shows abnormality. On HRCT Reticular pattern was most common finding in 36(72%). The most common interstitial lung disease found in our study was usual interstitial pneumonia( n=20,40%) followed by nonspecific interstitial pneumonia(n=8,16%) and acute interstitial pneumonia(n=6,12%). Conclusion: HRCT is highly effective modality for visualization of the lung pathology. HRCT along with clinical findings and releavant laboratory tests help in diagnosis of ILD. Pattern of HRCT findings differ to certain extent in different studies. Most common pattern was UIP in this study.