Predominant Pattern & or Distribution
Ground-glass opacities; lower lung and peripheral distribution
Additional Findings
The pattern of NSIP is associated with multiple other etiologies such as SLE, scleroderma, Sjogren syndrome, poly/dermatomyositis, anti-synthetase syndrome, primary biliary cirrhosis, chemotherapy – or drug- induced, graft versus host disease, IgG4-related disease. The main differential diagnosis for the NSIP pattern is the UIP pattern. The presence of symmetrical bilateral ground-glass opacities with fine reticulations and sparing of the subpleural space argues for NSIP in this case, whereas the presence of honeycombing is practically diagnostic of UIP. Additional findings: traction bronchiolectasis which suggests a fibrotic process.
DDX
Etiology
NSIP (non-specific interstitial pneumonia) in rheumatoid arthritis.