Nonspecific interstitial pneumonia: Variable appearance at high-resolutionchest CT

PURPOSE: To describe the computed tomographic (CT) findings in patients wit h nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) and to compare these with the C T findings of other chronic infiltrative lung diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Findings in 50 patients with biopsy-proved NSIP and a CT scan were reviewed by two thoracic radiologists in consensus. After th e findings were described, the observers judged whether the findings were c ompatible with previously published descriptions of NSIP or whether the fin dings would support the diagnosis of a different chronic infiltrative lung disease. RESULTS: Eleven (22%) of the 50 patients had CT findings that were compatib le with previous descriptions of NSIP. Sixteen (32%) patients had CT findin gs that were more compatible with usual interstitial pneumonia. The other 2 3 (46%) patients had findings that were nondiagnostic or most compatible wi th the diagnosis of another chronic infiltrative lung disease. CONCLUSION: Contrary to previously published articles, there are a wide var iety of CT findings in cases of NSIP.