Imaging
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
- Preliminary Diagnosis: Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
-
I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis
- II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis
-
III. What are the contraindications for the first-line imaging technique?
-
IV. What alternative imaging techniques are available?
- V. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of the alternative techniques for diagnosis
- VI. What are the contraindications for the alternative imaging techniques?
Preliminary Diagnosis: Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis
Chest x-ray, PA and lateral view
II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis
Advantages
Highly portable and relatively inexpensive imaging modality
Exposes patients to minimal ionizing radiation
Disadvantages
Less sensitive and specific in diagnosing a primary parenchymal and/or pleural abnormality or detecting any secondary complications compared to cross-sectional imaging
Unable to evaluate the secondary pulmonary lobule, which would be helpful in generating a differential diagnosis
III. What are the contraindications for the first-line imaging technique?
No specific contraindications to plain radiography exist. Some institutions may require consent for pregnant patients.
IV. What alternative imaging techniques are available?
CT of the chest without contrast/high resolution CT of the chest
V. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of the alternative techniques for diagnosis
CT of the chest without contrast/high resolution CT of the chest
Advantages
The gold standard in evaluating and characterizing idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Highly sensitive and specific in evaluating for a primary parenchymal and/or pleural abnormality, and detailing and characterizing a secondary complication
Offers exquisite visualization and evaluation of the secondary pulmonary lobule and interlobular and intralobular septae.
Disadvantages
Exposes patients to ionizing radiation
More expensive compared to plain radiography
VI. What are the contraindications for the alternative imaging techniques?
CT of the chest without contrast/high resolution CT of the chest
CT imaging may be contraindicated in pregnant patients.
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