Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: Spectrum of High-Resolution CT Findings

OBJECTIVE: Characteristic high-resolution CT (HRCT) findings of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) include reticulation, architectural distortion, and honeycombing involving mainly the lung periphery and the lower lobes. In 50% of IPF patients, HRCT is nonspecific. This article illustrates the HRCT findings of IPF correlating with the pathology. CONCLUSION: The spectrum of HRCT manifestations varies from typical findings that allow confident diagnosis to atypical patterns mimicking other diseases, including predominance of ground-glass opacity, consolidation, nodules, and atypical distribution of lesions.