Multidisciplinary approach in the diagnosis of idiopathic nonspecific interstitial pneumonia

Abstract

The article provides a modern classification of interstitial lung diseases. The focus is on the poorly studied and difficult to diagnose idiopathic nonspecific interstitial pneumonia, isolated in a separate nosological form and included in the classification only in 2002. The paper presents the features of the clinical, radiological, histological picture of idiopathic nonspecific interstitial pneumonia in comparison with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The presented materials are based on the results of the largest study conducted by the working group of the American Thoracic Society, which shows the importance of the interaction of specialists in the diagnosis of idiopathic nonspecific interstitial pneumonia. A comprehensive assessment of the examination of patients conducted in collaboration with the clinician and radiologist, after their cooperative discussion, in many cases can help to avoid lung biopsy, and the study of morphological material is more often necessary only in difficult diagnostic situations.

Keywords

• interstitial lung diseases
• idiopathic interstitial pneumonia
• idiopathic nonspecific interstitial pneumonia
• idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
• multidisciplinary approach
• high resolution computed tomography