From an abdominal ultrasound to a lung disease passing through the diaphragm: a case of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

RATIONALE: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic lung disease characterized by abnormal and excessive deposition of collagen in the pulmonary interstitium (fibrosis) with minimal associated inflammation evolving into progressive and irreversible decline in lung function. PATIENT CONCERNS: Patient referred discomfort, bilateral upper quadrant abdominal pain, and progressive exertional dyspnea (shortness of breath with exercise). DIAGNOSIS: Exertional dyspnea due to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). INTERVENTION: Sonographic evaluation demonstrated an alteration of diaphragm excursion together with a relevant alteration of the pleural line and multiple irregular and confluent B lines.
CONCLUSIONS: Lung and diaphragm ultrasound could be employed as a screening or first-line diagnostic tool in the suspicion of interstitial lung disease.