Objective: To analysis the clinical aspects of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis(IPF) in 26 cases in our hospital. Methods: 26 patients with IPF were diagnosed between Jan. 1999 and Jun. 2001. Clinical symptoms
radiographic and computed tomography features of the chest
arterial blood-gas
fiberbronchoscopy
lung function testing
diagnosis and treatment were analyzed. Results:The diagnoses of patients with IPF were difficult in the early stage and easily misdiagnosed
accounting for 57.8% of the total.Therapies with steroids and oxygen are partially effective. Conclusion: Diagnosis of IPF depends on clinical manifestation
conventional chest radiographs and high-resolution CT scans
and lung function testing. Pathologic biopsy with usual interstitial pneumonia(UIP) contributes to diagnosis.