Focal interstitial fibrosis manifesting as nodular ground-glass opacity: thin-section CT findings

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe the thin-section computed tomographic (CT) features of focal interstitial fibrosis manifesting as nodular ground-glass opacity (GGO) and its changes during follow-up. The thin-section CT findings of pathologically proven focal interstitial fibrosis manifesting as nodular GGO were retrospectively evaluated in nine patients (five women and four men; mean age, 59.3 years; age range, 34-81 years). The thin-section CT findings of each lesion were analyzed for multiplicity, location, shape, margin characteristics, pleural retraction or vascular convergence, size and internal attenuation, lesion internal features and lesion changes on follow-up CT scans (mean 90 days, range 5 to 215 days). All lesions manifested as a solitary nodular GGO (100%), and seven of the nine lesions (77.8%) were located in the upper lobe. Focal interstitial fibrosis was round or oval in shape in five cases (55.6%), complex in shape in three cases (33.3%) and polygonal in one case (11.1%). Lesion margins were smooth in five patients (55.6%), irregular in three (33.3%) and spiculated in one (11.1%). Pleural retraction or vascular convergence was present in two patients (22.2%). Lesions measured 4.8 mm to 25.5 mm (mean, 11.5 mm) and had attenuations ranging from -151 to -699 HU (mean, -514.7 HU). Eight (88.9%) manifested as pure nodular GGOs and one as mixed GGO with a spiculated margin. In all patients, no lesion changes were observed in follow-up CT scans. Focal interstitial fibrosis manifesting as nodular GGO usually presents as a solitary nodule with pure GGO on thin-section CT, which does not change significantly during follow-up.