Role of High Resolution Computed Tomography in Evaluation of Diffuse Parenchymal Lung Diseases

Introduction : Diffuse parenchymal lung disease (DPLD) describes a heterogenous group of disorders of the lower respiratory tract characterized by inflammation and derangement of the interstitium and loss of functional alveolar units. The disease is not restricted to the interstitium, it involves the entire pulmonary parenchyma.The present study was undertaken to detect and study the profile of computed tomographic (CT) patterns of diffuse parenchymal lung diseases. Methodology: The present study comprised of 60 patients of DPLD. Patients were evaluated by CT scan in Department of Radio -diagnosis from October 2014 to October 2016. Pregnant women and diagnosed cases of tuberculosis (sputum positive) were excluded . Results: The most commonly identified diffuse parenchymal lung disease was idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (26.7%) followed by tuberculosis and post tubercular disease (16.7%) of the total cases. Conclusion: Diffuse parenchymal lung diseases commonly occur in the middle age, the presenting complaint being unremitting dyspnea of long duration in most of the cases. Idiopathic interstitial pneumonia forms the major group of diffuse parenchymal lung diseases in our society. The extent and distribution of disease identified on HRCT scans correlates well with the clinical impairment.