F: How do you diagnose pulmonary fibrosis?

A high resolution CT scan of the chest is the key test used to diagnose pulmonary fibrosis, providing detailed images that reveal signs of lung scarring. This scan is usually arranged by a hospital specialist, either after a GP referral for symptoms like cough or breathlessness, or sometimes after being done for another reason. From first seeing a GP to receiving a confirmed diagnosis, the process typically takes around 12 weeks.

 

🎥 Watch the Video: How do you diagnose pulmonary fibrosis?

 

Professor Porter discusses the following:

• How do you diagnose pulmonary fibrosis?
• Can you diagnose pulmonary fibrosis by a CT scan?
• What is a high resolution CT scan (HRCT)?
• Can your GP arrange a scan if you think you have pulmonary fibrosis?
• How long does it take to get a diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis?

 

Full Video Transcript

In most cases, the definitive test to diagnose pulmonary fibrosis is what we call a high resolution CT scan, which is a CT scan of the chest. You go through the imaging [machine] – it’s like a doughnut – and you go through that and you have what we call a high resolution scan, which shows the lung in a lot of fine detail.

This is almost always organised by a hospital specialist.  It may be done for another reason and the lung fibrosis is picked up incidentally, or it may be done because you’ve been referred by your GP because you have a cough and/or shortness of breath. The whole process from referral to the GP, if that’s the route that you took to the hospital specialist, takes about six weeks from first referral, and then the CT scan will be done within six weeks after that.

So, I would say, from first seeing the GP to getting the diagnosis may take up to 12 weeks.

 

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[Video published December 2025]