Imaging of interstitial lung disease in systemic sclerosis: computed tomography versus ultrasound

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex, clinically heterogeneous disease, characterized by extensive vascular alterations, autoantibodies and fibrosis. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a frequent cause of death in SSc patients. It is characterized by histopathologically nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) or usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) and occurs to various extents [1,2]. The clinical features of ILD are dyspnea and cough that may cause respiratory failure. For this reason, the diagnostic approach to ILD is of paramount importance to detect early modifications and then to monitor the evolution [3]. In this perspective, the imaging of the lung is today, together with pulmonary function tests, the fundamental aid to the clinician to reach a satisfactory understanding of the disease advancement. In this article, the advantages as well as the limitations of the imaging techniques available today are analyzed and new perspectives proposed.