You are called to attend to an ER patient complaining of shortness of breath and severe dyspnea on exertion. Patient history is significant for a 30-year-pack smoking history, dry nonproductive cough, and occasional pedal edema. CXR findings are not remarkable except for mild cardiomegaly. You want to rule out ILD versus obstructive lung disease. HRCT shows a diffused ground glass appearance with the presence of centrilobular nodules. Together with the PFT results, HRCT finding indicates the presence of:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The presence of diffused ground glass appearance with the presence of centrilobular nodules in the HRTC is consistent with respiratory bronchiolitis ILD caused by tobacco exposure. Moreover, PFT results support this conclusion by showing a restrictive process with loss of alveolar-capillary surface area.

You Are Called to Attend to an ER Patient Complaining