Imaging of the chest: idiopathic interstitial pneumonia

This article continues the discussion of imaging of interstitial lung diseases that was begun in the last issue. The authors summarize the typical imaging features of idiopathic interstitial pneumonias, emphasizing high-resolution CT. Based on the American Thoracic Society classification system, the idiopathic interstitial pneumonias are discussed under these sections: idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis/usual interstitial pneumonitis, nonspecific interstitial pneumonitis, cryptogenic organizing pneumonia, desquamative interstitial pneumonitis, respiratory bronchiolitis-associated interstitial lung disease, acute interstitial pneumonitis, and lymphoid interstitial pneumonitis.