DIFFUSE LUNG-DISEASE - DIAGNOSTIC-ACCURACY OF CT IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING SURGICAL BIOPSY OF THE LUNG

PURPOSE: To determine if there is a subset of patients undergoing surg ical biopsy for diffuse lung disease in whom accurate diagnosis can be made with computed tomography (CT) only. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two c hest radiologists retrospectively reviewed the CT scans of 85 patients in whom surgical biopsy for diffuse lung disease was performed. Thin- section CT images were available in 58 (68%) of the 85 cases. By conse nsus, the radiologists listed the three most likely diagnoses in order of probability and rated their level of confidence in the first choic e. RESULTS: Each of 85 patients with diffuse lung disease had one of 1 6 diseases. In 79 (93%) cases, the correct diagnosis was one of the th ree choices. In 54 (64%) cases, the correct diagnosis was the radiolog ists' first choice. A high level of confidence in the first choice was reached in 20 (24%) cases; all 20 cases were forms of chronic lung di sease. In 18 (90%) of these 20 cases, the first choice was correct. CO NCLUSION: In a subset of patients with diffuse lung disease who underg o surgical biopsy, accurate diagnosis can be made with CT findings onl y.