| Summary: | Hideji Otani,1 Tomonori Tanaka,2 Kiyoshi Murata,1 Junya Fukuoka,2 Norihisa Nitta,1 Yukihiro Nagatani,1 Akinaga Sonoda,1 Masashi Takahashi3 1Department of Radiology, Shiga University of Medical Science, Setatsukinowa-cho, Otsu, Shiga, 2Department of Pathology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 3Department of Radiology, Yujin-Yamazaki Hospital, Takegahana-cho, Hikone, Shiga, Japan Purpose: To evaluate the incidence and pathologic correlation of thin-section computed tomography (TSCT) findings in smoking-related interstitial fibrosis (SRIF) with pulmonary emphysema. Patients and methods: Our study included 172 consecutive patients who underwent TSCT and subsequent lobectomy. TSCT findings including clustered cysts with visible walls (CCVW) and ground-glass attenuation with/without reticulation (GGAR) were evaluated and compared in nonsmokers and smokers and among lung locations. TSCT findings, especially CCVW, were also compared with histological findings using lobectomy specimens. Results: The incidence of CCVW and GGAR was significantly higher in smokers than in nonsmokers (34.1% and 40.7%, respectively, vs 2.0% and 12.2%). CCVW and GGAR were frequently found in the lower and peripheral zones. Histologically, CCVW corresponded more often with SRIF with emphysema than usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP, 63.3% vs 30%). CCVW of irregular size and shape were seen in 19 of 20 SRIF with emphysema and in seven of nine UIP-manifested areas with similar round cysts. A less-involved subpleural parenchyma was observed more frequently in SRIF with emphysema. Conclusion: SRIF with emphysema is a more frequent pathological finding than UIP in patients with CCVW on TSCT. The irregular size and shape of CCVW and a less-involved subpleural parenchyma may be a clue suggesting the presence of SRIF with emphysema. Keywords: pulmonary emphysema, smoking, usual interstitial pneumonia, honeycombing, smoking-related interstitial fibrosis, airspace enlargement with fibrosis
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