Assessment of Lung Movement With CT in Healthy Subjects and Patients With ILD

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a group of lung disorders in which the lung tissues become inflamed and then damaged. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is one of the subtypes of ILD which has characteristic histological and CT features. It is well known that microscopic fibrosis occurs in the lungs of IPF patients well before the structural changes of fibrosis become apparent on CT. By combining sophisticated image analysis with CT scans obtained at full inspiration and full expiration, it may be possible to detect earlier changes of IPF than currently possible by looking at macro structural features alone. With the recent development of new therapeutics for IPF, early detection of the disease and improved monitoring of treatment efficacy will become important. Using CT to assess regional lung compliance has the potential to become an easily translated clinical tool.