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Pulmonary fibrosis (severe)

Case contributed by Ian Bickle
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Chronic attendance at chest clinic. Progressive shortness of breath.

Patient Data

Age: 60 years
Gender: Female
x-ray

Diffuse bilateral increased coarse interstitial markings.  No zonal predominance.

The lungs are a little reduced in volume.

'Shaggy' outline to the heart.

Case Discussion

Pulmonary fibrosis is one of the more common respiratory conditions, with a large list of potential causes. Despite this, idiopathic fibrosis is the most common cause.

On the plain radiograph, this is best evidenced by an increase in interstitial markings, with or without nodularity.

Other findings on the film may point towards the potential cause like pleural plaques (asbestosis), soft tissue calcification (scleroderma) or calcified mediastinal nodes (silicosis).

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