Imagistic methods in the diagnosis of idiopathic interstitial pneumonias Idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIPs) can be distinguished from other forms of diffuse parenchymal lung disease by clinical methods, including history, physical examination, laboratory studies, imaging, and pathologic analysis. Radiological pattern seen in the IIPs is similar or identical to those found in many other conditions, including collagen vascular disease, drug reactions, asbestosis, and chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

Pneumonitele interstiţiale idiopatice (PII) pot fi deosebite de alte forme ale pneumopatiilor interstiţiale difuze în baza tabloului clinic, modificărilor de laborator şi a testelor funcţionale pulmonare, pattern-urilor imagistice şi morfologice. Pattern-ul radiologic al PII, poate fi similar sau identic cu cel al leziunilor pulmonare din alte boli, cum ar fi colagenozele, pneumonitele prin hipersensibilizare, azbestoza şi intoxicaţiile medicamentoase.