Objective To study the imaging features of pneumoconiosis merged with idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIPs).
Methods A total of 67 cases of pneumoconiosis with interstitial pneumonia were included to the study.
Results The 67 selected cases were composed of 59 cases (88.06%) of usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP), 2 cases (2.99%) of nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), 2 cases (2.99%) of desquamative interstitial pneumonia (DIP), 1 case (1.49%) of respiratory bronchiolitis-associated interstitial lung disease (RB-ILD), 1 case (1.49%) of acute interstitial pneumonia (AIP), 1 case (1.49%) of lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia (LIP), and 1 case (1.49%) of cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP). Of the patients having pneumoconiosis with UIP, small opacities p and s were detected in 5 cases (8.47%) and 54 cases (91.53%), respectively; 1 case of large opacity were also found, accounting for 1.69%; the s-sized opacities were found more than the p-sized opacities (P<0.01). The chest X-ray of the pneumoconiosis patients with IIPs showed ground-glass opacities, reticulated nodules, and honeycombing as the main manifestations; the results of high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in the pneumoconiosis patients with IIPs presented ground-glass opacities, honeycombing with traction bronchiectasis, interlobular septal thickening as the main changes. Ground-glass opacities, honeycombing with traction bronchiectasis, interlobular septal thickening were more obviously displayed in the HRCT scanning than in the chest X-ray (P<0.01).
Conclusion The imaging features of pneumoconiosis with IIPs are of significant value for pneumoconiosis diagnosis and prognosis.
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