A 62-year-old man with progressive dyspnoea undergoes HRCT thorax. Images show bilateral basal-predominant subpleural honeycombing with traction bronchiectasis and no ground-glass opacity predominance. The UIP pattern on HRCT in the absence of an identifiable cause is MOST consistent with which diagnosis?
- A Non-specific interstitial pneumonia
- B Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
- C Usual interstitial pneumonia / Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis ✓
- D Cryptogenic organising pneumonia
Correct answer: C. Usual interstitial pneumonia / Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Explanation
The UIP pattern on HRCT (basal-predominant subpleural honeycombing ± traction bronchiectasis, without features suggesting alternative diagnosis) is the hallmark of IPF. NSIP shows predominant ground-glass opacity with subpleural sparing. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis shows upper-lobe predominance and mosaic attenuation. COP shows consolidation with peribronchovascular distribution.
Reference: Grainger & Allison's Diagnostic Radiology, 7th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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