Challenges in IPF diagnosis, current management and future perspectives: Patient case 1

Abstract

Patient presentation and diagnosis

A 78-year-old female was referred to our department in April 2011 with shortness of breath. Clinical examination revealed bilateral limited crackles but no signs of finger clubbing. Lung function evaluation showed a percent predicted FVC of 78 and DLco of 67. The patient underwent HRCT imaging which showed cardinal features of a UIP pattern enabling a rapid diagnosis of IPF without the need for surgical lung biopsy.

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