Acute interstitial pneumonia:: Thin-section CT findings in 36 patients

PURPOSE: To characterize the computed tomographic (CT) findings of acute interstitial pneumonia and to correlate the pattern and the extent of abnormalities with the time between symptom onset and CT. MATERIALS AND:METHODS: The study included 36 patients (20 men, 16 women; age range, 22-83 years; mean age, 61 years) with histopathologically proved acute : interstitial pneumonia who were identified retrospectively. The time between symptom onset and CT was 2-90 days (mean, 22 days; median, 17 days). The presence, extent, and distribution of various CT findings were evaluated. Disease duration and extent oof each finding were compared by using the Spearman rank correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Areas with ground-glass attenuation, traction bronchiectasis, and architectural distortion were present in all 36 patients. Airspace consolidation was present in 33 patients (92%). The extent of areas of ground-glass attenuation (r = 0.45, P <.01) and the extent;of traction bronchiectasis (r = 0.35, P <.05) correlated with disease duration. No other significant correlation was found between the CT findings and disease duration. CONCLUSION: A combination of ground-glass attenuation, airspace consolidation, traction bronchiectasis, and architectural distortion is seen in the majority of patients with acute interstitial pneumonia. The extent of; ground-glass attenuation and traction bronchiectasis increases With disease duration.