How Is Pulmonary Fibrosis Diagnosed?

Posted on Thu, 27 Jul 2017

Question: Pulmonology question: How effective at assessing lung scarring are (a) chest x-rays, and (b) chest CT scans?

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (59 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
CT scan is more effective over chest x ray.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Healthcare.
I can understand your concern.
For lung scarring, CT thorax is far superior than chest x ray.
In CT scan, HRCT (high resolution CT) thorax is more informative.
So chest x ray is for screening of lung scarring. For accuracy, HRCT thorax is needed.
HRCT will tell you exact extent of scarring and involvement of lobes.
So HRCT should be done for lung scarring.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (35 hours later)

Thank you kindly Dr. Bhavsar.

Are you saying that chest rays are what they use to determine if there is lung scarring, and if the x-ray shows possible scarring then high resolution CT scan is used to confirm diagnosis and get more accurate information?

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, your understanding is absolutely right.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Yes, your understanding is absolutely right.
Chest x ray is for screening only. It is baseline investigation for lung scarring.
Exact idea about extent and severity of lung scarring is achieved by CT scan.
Hope I have solved your query. If you are not having further queries, then please close the conversation and rate my answer.
You can ask me directly on bit.ly/askdrkaushalbhavsar.
Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana