Diffuse infiltrative lung disease: a new scheme for description.

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Abstract
A scheme was devised for semiquantitative description of the diffuse infiltrative lung diseases using the graphic terminology of the International Labour Office and Union Internationale Contre le Cancer (ILO/UC) classification. Conventions for grading the type (rounded or pqr and irregulator or stu), severity (profusion in 12 steps), localization of opacities and pleural disease were retained. Modifications included: a 3rd group of opacities, called xyz, corresponding to reticulonodular patterns; ground glass (alveolar) patterns, subdivided into 7 types by character and location; notations for severity of emphysema; and hilar node enlargement. This initial study concerned diagnostic aspects and therefore was limited to 365 cases proved by open biopsy. When this scheme was used without any knowledge of clinical data, the first 2 radiologic diagnostic choices corresponded with the principal histologic diagnosis in 50% of cases. The biopsy diagnosis was mentioned among the first 3 choices in 78% of cases. This classification provides an understandable and quantifiable system of communication and a tool for teaching, clinical research and epidemmiologic studies.