[Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis--a case report].

Our understanding of the idiopathic interstitial lung disease (ILD) has undergone dramatic changes in the last decade, mostly in disease classification and diagnostic processes, and the role of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the chest in assessment of diagnosis and prognosis. The most important change has been the evidence of different histopathologic subgroups that make up the current classification of idiopathic interstitial pneumonias. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic lung condition of uncertain aetiology that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients who experience breathlessness, cough and reduced exercise tolerance. The role of high-resolution computed tomography in the diagnosis of interstitial lung disease is increasing as our understanding of its diagnostic accuracy improves. The patient described in the present case was a 59-year-old female who presented with 3 years history of dyspnea on exertion, cough, and low grade fever (thyroidectomy for thyroid malignancy 4 months before current presentation). The findings on HRCT were ground-glass opacities and reticular abnormality with subpleural and lower lung zone predominance. She underwent surgical lung biopsy for differential diagnosis between IPF, nonspecific interstitial pneumonia and thyroid lung metastases. The histological examination showed a pattern of usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) what is the underlying lesion in IPF.