Imaging of drug-induced lung disease

During the reparative phase of DAD, fibrosis can occur and, depending on the severity of the injury, may progress to honeycomb lung. The fibrosis is not initially evident on the chest radiograph, but CT performed during this phase may show the fibrosis as irregular linear opacities with associated architectural distortion. If there is significant architectural distortion and formation of honeycomb lung this may be visible on both the chest radiograph and CT (Fig. 3.2).9-11 DAD is typically caused by cytotoxic drugs such as bleomycin, busulphan, and carmustine or other nitrosoureas.