- Interstitial Lung Abnormalities (ILAs) refer to
- subtle,
- incidental findings on chest CT imaging that
- suggest
- mild or
- early interstitial lung disease (ILD)
- but do not meet the full diagnostic criteria for ILD.
- These abnormalities are often identified in
- asymptomatic individuals
- during imaging for other reasons.
Radiologic Definition:
ILAs are characterized by the presence of one or more of the following findings on chest CT:
- Ground-glass opacities: Areas of increased lung density without obscuration of the underlying vessels.
- Reticular abnormalities: Fine lines or irregular interstitial thickening.
Clinical Context:
- Incidental Nature: ILAs are identified incidentally and may be associated with aging, smoking, or environmental exposures.
- Early Indicator of ILD: While ILAs do not confirm ILD, they may represent early or mild fibrotic changes that can progress over time, especially in individuals at risk (e.g., smokers or those with occupational exposures).
Further clinical and radiologic follow-up is often recommended to monitor for progression to a more defined ILD.