Thoracic computed tomography in the progressive fibrotic phenotype

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To discuss rationale and methods for determining progressive lung fibrosis on thoracic computed tomography (CT) and describe limitations and challenges. RECENT FINDINGS: Identifying patients with progressive lung fibrosis is important to determine optimal treatment. Serial high-resolution computed tomography is a method of determining disease progression. A number of studies are reviewed in this article, that have explored various parameters (both visual and automated) that signify progressive fibrosis on CT. SUMMARY: To reliably use serial CT as a marker of disease progression in fibrotic lung disease, clinicians and radiologists need to be aware of the optimal methods for identifying changes in disease extent, and understand their limitations.