Unstructured interstitial patterns

Question 1

Nearly all pulmonary diseases involve the interstitium to some degree making this the ____ ____ and ____ ____ lung pattern. DX of an unstructured interstitial pattern usually is made after ______ of other patterns.

Answer 1

MOST COMMON

LEAST SPECIFIC

elimination

Question 2

Unstructured interstitial patterns commonly ______ and _____ alveolar patterns because the separation between alveoli and interstitum is weak. Both patterns may appear _______.

Answer 2

precede and follow

concurrently

(Dynamics of lung parenchyma disease. Illustration depicts fluid orcellular material infiltrating lung parenchyma. Normal lung is on the upper right side of image, progressing to interstitial disease, and finally severe alveolar filling on the lower left . As the alveoli fill, vascular margins are obscured and air-filled broonchus becomes more distinct as an air bronchogram. Interstitial and alveolar patterns differ only in degree of opacity and connfluence.)

Question 3

Interstital lung patterns have been described as “____ ____” because the margins of the intrathoracic structues (pulmonary vessels, cardiac silhouette, diaphram, causeal vena cava) remain visible, but are ____ _____. Similar to looking at the lungs through “ground glass” or bathroom glass.

Answer 3

Dirty lungs

less distinct

Question 4

_____ ______ are NOT present with interstitial patterns, but ___ in _____ may have greater contrast against increased interstitial opacity.

Answer 4

Air bronchograms

air in bronchi

(Air bronchogram. Alveolar filling (white) adjacent to an air-filled bronchus creates an air bronchogram. The bronchial wall is thickened; however, the wall would not be visile adjacent to the soft tissue in the alveoli. Interstitial thickening in the lower right)

Question 5

With an indistinct interstital lung pattern, lung volume may be _____ because alveoli are unable to fully expand against ______ ______. Interstitial connective tissue commonly thickens and becomes more opaque, creating fine, indistinct, linear markings described as “_____” or “____” in appearance.

Answer 5

smaller

interstitial infiltrates

reticular or lacey

As interstitial dz resolves or becomes chronic and less active, reticular markings become thinner and more distinct and vascular margins become better defined.

Question 6

Radiographic findings with generalized interstital lung patterns are?`

Answer 6

Diffuse increase in lung opacity (“dirty lungs”)

pulmonary vessels remain visible, but margins are indistinct

Cardiac and diaphragm borders are visible

Increased interstital markings (reticular or lacey pattern of lines)

No patches of soft tissue opacity caused by alveolar filling

Generalized interstitial thickening= linear (“reticular”)

Discrete interstitial thickening= nodules

Interstitial and alveolar filling= silhouette