Edward Y. Lee MD, MPH, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

1) Discuss a new classification system of interstitial lung disease in infants. 2) Review helpful clinical aspects and imaging findings of interstitial lung disease in infants. 3) Learn characteristic HRCT imaging findings to narrow the differential diagnoses of interstitial lung disease in infants.

Interstitial lung disease in infants comprises a rare heterogeneous group of parenchymal lung disorders with clinical syndrome characterized by dyspnea, tachypnea, crackles, hypoxemia and / or diffuse infiltrates. In the past, there has been a paucity of information and limited understanding regarding its pathogenesis, natural history, imaging findings, and histopathologic features, which often resulted in enormous diagnostic challenges. However, in recent years, there has been a substantial improvement in understanding interstitial lung disease in infants due to a structured new classification system based on etiology of the lung disease, established pathologic criteria for the consistent pathological diagnosis, and improvement of thoracoscopic techniques for lung biopsies. Imaging plays an important role in evaluating interstitial lung disease in infants by confirming and characterizing the diffuse lung disease, generating differential diagnoses, and providing localization for lung biopsy for pathological diagnosis. In this presentation, a new classification system of interstitial lung disease in infants emphasizing etiology of the lung disease will be discussed. Helpful clinical aspects and imaging findings of interstitial lung disease in infants will be reviewed. Characteristic HRCT imaging findings which can help in narrowing the differential diagnoses of interstitial lung disease in infants will be highlighted.

Lee, E, Interstitial Lung Disease in Infancy: New Concepts.  Radiological Society of North America 2011 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 2, 2011 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2011/11000215.html