ILD Multidisciplinary Approach & HRCT | IPF Radiology Rounds

Multidisciplinary Approach

The interstitial lung diseases have similar symptoms, physiology, radiology, and histopathology, which may make the process of diagnosis difficult, even for ILD experts.²⁷ Due to the significant overlap between these features, a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis is recommended for any patient suspected of having interstitial lung disease.⁵ It is important to integrate clinical findings seen by a pulmonologist and/or rheumatologist with radiographic and pathologic diagnoses to confirm the final diagnosis.⁴⁵

Overview of Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)

Narrowing the Differential Diagnosis

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (an Update) and Progressive Pulmonary Fibrosis in Adults: An Official ATS/ERS/JRS/ALAT Clinical Practice Guideline

Reference

5. Raghu G, Collard HR, Egan JJ, et al. An official ATS/ERS/JRS/ALAT statement: idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: evidence-based guidelines for diagnosis and management. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2011;183:788-824.

27. Raghu G, Brown KK. Interstitial lung disease: clinical evaluation and keys to an accurate diagnosis. Clin Chest Med. 2004;25:409-419.

45. Raghu G, Remy-Jardin M, Myers JL, et al. Diagnosis of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. An Official ATS/ERS/JRS/ALAT Clinical Practice Guideline. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2018;198(5):e44-e68.