HOW IS IT CALLED - SCHEME AND GLOSSARY FO R REPORTING AND UNDERSTANDING OF HRCT OF THE LUNG

In HRCT-reports multiple different, often synonymous, German and Engli sh terms are used. The variety of terms impede understanding and accep tance of HRCT. Purpose of this paper is to present a scheme, which is based on the anatomic landmarks (secondary lobule), and the density of pathologic changes, as well as a glossary from the German HRCT-litera ture, including suitable terms, definitions, synonyma and English term s. Low attenuation changes include emphysemas, air-filled cavities (bu llae, cysts, cavitations, honeycombing) and bronchial dilatation, chan ges with increased density consist of diffuse (ground glass opacity, c onsolidation) and focal processes (reticular and nodular densities). R eticular densities are categorised in thickened interlobular septae an d translobular lines with differentiation of a reticular pattern and c urvilinear lines. Nodular processes are categorised according to size, density, morphology, localisation and distribution. Parenchymal disto rtion and destruction indicate the severity of these processes. Certai n patterns are indicative for possible differential diagnoses, and a r ecommendation for further procedures is given.