Clinical significance of pattern types in high resolution computed tomography images of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

The aim of the study was to assess significance of two types of HRCT pattern in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), corresponding to usual interstitial pneumonia. The study population consisted of 34 patients, 11 women and 23 men, mean age 64.5 +/- 10.5 years. The patients were divided into two groups according to HRCT appearance: Group A--reticular pattern with some ground-glass attenuation (30 patients); group B--reticular pattern only (4 patients). Age, level of dyspnea, pulmonary function tests were similar in both groups. Longer history of dyspnea and more frequent finger clubbing (all patients) were found in Group B. 30 patients were followed-up for at least 12 months. In this period 4 out of 27 patients died in Group A, and 2 out of 3 patients died in Group B (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: HRCT showing reticular pattern only corresponds to late phase of IPF and is connected with very short survival.