UTILITY OF HIGH-RESOLUTION COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY IN ASSESSMENT OF INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE

Background: Diffuse interstitial lung diseases (DILDs) comprise a complex spectrum of disorders characterized by inflammation and fibrosis of the lung interstitium. High-Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) has become the imaging modality of choice for non-invasive diagnosis and classification of DILDs, enabling identification of hallmark patterns critical for early intervention.The present study aimed to assess the diagnostic utility of HRCT in identifying and classifying ILDs and to correlate specific radiological features with final diagnoses based on histopathology or treatment response. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 40 patients with clinically suspected ILDs. HRCT chest scans were evaluated for key features such as interlobular and intralobular septal thickening, centrilobular and perilymphatic nodules, ground-glass opacities, consolidation, honeycombing, and zonal distribution.Radiological findings were statistically analyzed and compared with final diagnoses. Results:UIP was the most common pattern (40%), followed by NSIP (20%) and sarcoidosis (17.5%). HRCT findings significantly correlated with specific diagnoses:interlobular septal thickening with UIP (p=0.035),intralobular thickening with sarcoidosis and UIP (p=0.002), and peribronchovascular thickening with UIP and NSIP (p=0.001). Centrilobular nodules (77.5%) and ground-glass opacities (75%) were frequently associated with UIP and NSIP (p<0.0001 and p=0.019,respectively).HRCT showed high concordance with final diagnosis for UIP (81.3%), NSIP (75%), and sarcoidosis (85.7%), confirming its reliability in ILD evaluation. Conclusion: HRCT demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy and subtype-specific correlation in DILDs,making it a vital non-invasive tool for diagnosis,classification,and management planning.