High-Resolution CT Evaluation of Ground-Glass Opacity In Diffuse Lung Disease

Ground-glass opacity of the lung is often demonstrated on high-resolution CT (HRCT) in various diffuse lung diseases. Ground-glass opacity generally results from minimal thickening of the alveolar interstitium or partial filling in the alveolar spaces. We classify diffuse infiltrative lung diseases into two clinical categories, namely, noninfectious and infectious lung disease. In noninfectious lung disease, although ground-glass opacity can be observed as an isolated finding, it is commonly observed to be combined with other findings such as centrilobular micronodules, interlobular septal thickening, and cystic air-spaces. These associated findings may be important for the differential diagnosis. Ground-glass opacity may also be seen as a consequence of increased capillary blood volume in redistribution of blood flow. This condition of hemodynamic origin is observed in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, airway disease, and vascular lung disease. Although ground-glass opacity is a nonspecific finding, it can suggest a specific diagnosis in certain clinical circumstances or indicate a potentially treatable disease. Therefore, accurate recognition and differential diagnosis of ground-glass opacity are important

Study of Normal Fissures Seen on Posteroanterior and Left Lateral Chest Radiographs

This study included consecutive 318 pairs of posteroanterior (PA) and left lateral (LL) chest radiographs taken under routinely used conditions with the patients in erect position. Major, minor and accessory fissures visualized on these radiographs were described according to their visibility, position, length and shape. On PA chest radiographs, superolateral major fissures in 54 (17%), superomedial major fissures in 20 (6%), minor fissures in 234 (74%), inferior accessory fissures in 19 (6%), superior accessory fissures in 12 (4%), left minor fissures in 16 (5%) and azygos fissure in 2 (0.6%) patients were seen. On LL chest radiographs, 266 (84%) right major fissures, 242 (76%) left major fissures, 210 (66%) minor fissures and 6 (2%) superior accessory fissures were seen. We have described the frequencies of various orientations, shapes and lengths of these fissures. This study not only supports the common knowledge of the appearances of pulmonary fissures but also explains numerically the various frequencies of these common patterns and variations seen in practice

High-resolution CT Findings of Diffuse Lung Disease : Review Article

Introduction Computed tomography (CT), particularly high-resolution CT (HRCT), defines detailed lung morphology, and is useful in evaluating diffuse lung disease1,2 It allows assessment of the anatomic changes as well as physiologic responses in patients with diffuse lung disease. We herein review the HRCT findings of diffuse lung disease according to classification based on their predominant appearances