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Updated: Jun 6, 2026
Imaging Features of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
Published on: June 16, 2020
Long-term follow-up high-resolution CT findings in non-specific interstitial pneumonia
Masanori Akira1, Yoshikazu Inoue, Toru Arai
1Department of Radiology, NHO Kinki-Chuo Chest Medical Center, Sakai City, Osaka, Japan. akira@kch.hosp.go.jp
Background:
The aims of this study were to retrospectively assess the change in findings on follow-up CT scans of patients with non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP; median, 72 months; range, 3-216 months) and to clarify the correlation between the baseline CT findings and mortality.
Methods:
The study included 50 patients with a histologic diagnosis of NSIP. Two observers evaluated the high-resolution CT (HRCT) findings independently and classified each case into one of the following three categories: (1) compatible with NSIP, (2) compatible with UIP or (3) suggestive of alternative diagnosis. The correlation between the HRCT findings and mortality was evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test, as well as Cox proportional hazards regression models.
Results:
Ground-glass opacity and consolidation decreased, whereas coarseness of fibrosis and traction bronchiectasis increased on the follow-up HRCT scans, however, in 78% of cases the overall extent of parenchymal abnormalities had no change or decreased. Patients with HRCT diagnosed compatible with NSIP had a longer survival than those with HRCT findings more compatible UIP or an alternative diagnosis. On multivariate analysis, the coarseness of fibrosis alone was associated with prognosis (HR: 1.480; 95% CIs 1.100 to 1.990).
Conclusions:
The HRCT patterns seen in patients with a histopathologic diagnosis of NSIP progress in a variable manner. Overall disease extent may decrease over time in some, while fibrosis may progress in others. The initial HRCT diagnosis may impact survival in this group of patients.
