Interstitial Lung Disease: A Picture Book

Normal

Comments

Note that the pulmonary vessels are the only structures seen within the air-filled lung. They branch, taper, and are barely visible as they reach the pleura. Bronchi are barely visible beyond the inner half of the lung.

Ground Glass Opacification (Synonyms: foggy, hazy, and semiopaque )

Comments

This is like looking at the anatomy through a frosted shower door or glass. The lung is an intermediate shade of gray but the pulmonary vessels are visible within the grey areas. The diminished aeration may be due to (1) decreased air in the alveoli caused by partial alveoli filling, (2) decreased air in the alveoli caused by thickened interstitium encroaching on the alveoli, or (3) decreased air in the alveoli due to hypoventilation and atelectasis.

Causes

atelectasis
aspiration pneumonitis
infection, such as pneumocystis
edema, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
pulmonary hemorrhage
idiopathic (e.g., desquamative interstitial pneumonitis, chronic organizing pneumonia)

Reticular (Synonyms: linear and irregular )

Comments

Acute or chronic thickening of the interlobular septa or the bronchovascular bundles cause linear or lacelike thickening. This may be smooth or irregular.