Original scientific paper
Description of Diffuse Interstitial Lung Diseases and Assessment of Their Activity
Ivica Mažuranić
Zlata Ivanovi-Herceg
Miroslav Samaržija
Inja Neralić-Meniga
Marko Baldani
Abstract
Conventional roentgenograms constitute the groundwork for the evaluation of diffuse
interstitial lung disease (DILD). ILO classification with its symbols (additionally
extended to granulomatoses) does not comprise pathoanatomic assumptions and does
not enter lesion genesis for it could lead to diagnostic misconception. »High resolution«
computer tomography (HRCT) provides the evaluation of lesion morphology and disease
activity. After having treated our 129 patients with diffuse interstitial lung disease
we have come to the conclusion that, beside pneumoconiosis, the application of extended
standard ILO symbols are suitable to other interstitial pathology for the homogeneity of
morphologic characteristics. As for diagnoses making, in distinction to other methods,
it can be said that analyzing roentgenograms of the extended ILO provides high level of
lesion evaluation standardization for diffuse interstitial disease as well as substantial
congruity with CT finding. It is clear that such analysis cannot be applied in our daily
work, however we have both concluded and proved that on conventional roentgenograms
the condition of interstitial lesion can roughly be assessed. This is of high importance
considering minimal dose of radiation exposure by standard tests in comparison with
other radiological techniques. Nevertheless, CT scanning should be performed if there
should be the need for the assessment of the morphology and the activity of lesion, to the
benefit of our patients.
Keywords
diffuse interstitial lung disease (DILD); International Labor Office (ILO); high resolution computer tomography (HRCT)
Hrčak ID:
28089
URI
Publication date:
16.6.2003.
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