What does miliary pattern mean?
Its name comes from a distinctive pattern seen on a chest radiograph of many tiny spots distributed throughout the lung fields with the appearance similar to millet seeds—thus the term “miliary” tuberculosis. Miliary TB may infect any number of organs, including the lungs, liver, and spleen.
What does interstitial pattern mean?
An interstitial lung pattern is a regular descriptive term used when reporting a plain chest radiograph. It is the result of the age-old attempt to make the distinction between an interstitial and airspace (alveolar) process to narrow the differential diagnosis.
What causes an interstitial lung pattern?
Interstitial lung disease can be caused by long-term exposure to hazardous materials, such as asbestos. Some types of autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, also can cause interstitial lung disease. In some cases, however, the causes remain unknown. Once lung scarring occurs, it’s generally irreversible.
What is miliary nodules in lungs?
The term miliary opacities refers to innumerable, small 1-4 mm pulmonary nodules scattered throughout the lungs. It is useful to divide these patients into those who are febrile and those who are not.
What is the most common diagnosis made in patients with miliary nodules?
The most common diagnoses of miliary nodules were miliary TB (41 patients, 54%) and miliary metastasis of malignancies (20 patients, 26%).
How long does it take to treat miliary tuberculosis?
Treatment of Miliary TB Antibiotics are given usually given for 6 to 9 months, unless the meninges are affected. Then antibiotics are given for 9 to 12 months. Corticosteroids may help if the pericardium or meninges are affected.
What makes up the Normal interstitial lung pattern?
Diffuse interstitial lung pattern This pattern consists of small fibres, military nodules or a combination of both. Normal interstitial structures include alveolar and bronchial walls, the septs between the dif-ferent lobes, as well as the connective tissue supporting the vessels. Each of these structures is radi-ographically invisible on its own.
How many miliary opacities are there in the lungs?
The term miliary opacities refers to innumerable, small 1-4 mm pulmonary nodules scattered throughout the lungs. It is useful to divide these patients into those who are febrile and those who are not.
Which is the most common radiographic lung pattern?
Radiographic Lung Patterns Radiographic Lung Patterns Systematic approach heart mediastinum vessels lungs pleural space thoracic wall diaphragm/abdomen Lung pathology Most cause INCREASED OPACITY patterns INTERSTITIAL ALVEOLAR BRONCHIAL VASCULAR NODULAR Some cause DECREASED OPACITY emphysema, air trapping hypoperfusion PTE
How to tell if you have an alveolar lung pattern?
The key to diagnose an alveolar lung pattern is the lung vasculature. Their visibility or better loss of their visibility determines if the changes being alveolar or not. you do see air bronchogramms (dark lines on a white background), mirroring the normal appearance of the lung (white lines on a dark background)