Clinical Investigations

Radiological versus Histopathological Diagnosis of Usual Interstitial Pneumonia in the Clinical Practice: Does It Have Any Survival Difference?
Silvia Quadrelli, Luciana Molinari, Lorena Ciallella, Juan Carlos Spina, Edgardo Sobrino, Julio Chertcoff

Buenos Aires British Hospital, Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas Alfredo Lanari, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Address of Corresponding Author

Respiration 2010;79:32-37 (DOI: 10.1159/000225987)

  Key Words

• Usual interstitial pneumonia
• High-resolution computed tomography
• Histopathological prognosis

  Abstract

Background: Recent studies have shown that quantification of specific histopathologic features found in usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) are useful in defining a prognosis, suggesting the need of biopsy in all patients. Objectives: This study examines whether UIP-associated mortality is different in patients diagnosed by high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) features considered definite of UIP and in patients with no definite radiological diagnosis that required histological confirmation of diagnoses. Methods: Forty-five patients were included (30 males, mean age 65.3 ± 10.7 years). Two groups of patients were identified: those with HRCT findings of definite UIP (n = 26) and those whose radiological diagnosis was not definite and required a surgical biopsy to confirm the presence of UIP (n = 19). Forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 s and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide were measured in all patients. All data were obtained from medical records, and the survival status was obtained by telephone or personal interview. All clinical parameters and HRCTs were obtained within 1 month before surgical lung biopsy. Results: Median survival was not different across groups and was similar to that previously reported (35 months). Kaplan-Meier analysis did not show any difference in 5-year survival between both groups. Conclusions: In a clinical context in which the diagnosis of UIP can be obtained as a dynamic process that includes an integrated clinical, radiological and pathologic approach, a reliable diagnosis of UIP can be obtained based on a typical definite HRCT with no risk of including patients with a more benign disease and a more prolonged survival.

Copyright © 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Silvia Quadrelli
Combatiente de Malvinas 3150
Buenos Aires C1427ARO (Argentina)
Fax +54 11 4304 3393
E-Mail silvia.quadrelli@gmail.com

  Article Information

Received: July 17, 2008
Accepted after revision: January 12, 2009
Published online: June 19, 2009
Number of Print Pages : 6
Number of Figures : 1, Number of Tables : 2, Number of References : 37