Upper and lower lobe distribution of bilateral pulmonary pathologies (mnemonic)

The upper and lower lobe distribution of certain bilateral pulmonary pathologies can be recalled using the following mnemonics:

• upper lobe or apical predominance: CASSET HPP or SET CAP

• lower lobe or bibasilar predominance: BAD RASH

Mnemonics

CASSET HPP

• C: cystic fibrosis

• A: ankylosing spondylitis

• S: silicosis

• S: sarcoidosis

• E: eosinophilic granuloma (Langerhans cell histiocytosis)

• T: tuberculosis

• H: hypersensitivity pneumonitis

• P: pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis

• P: pneumocystis pneumonia

SET CAP

• S: silicosis and sarcoidosis

• E: eosinophilic granuloma (Langerhans cell histiocytosis) and extrinsic allergic alveolitis

• T: TB and fungal

• C: cystic fibrosis

• A: ankylosing spondylitis

• P: PCP

BAD RASH

• B: bronchiectasis

• A: aspiration

• D: DIP

• R: rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease ¹

• A: asbestosis

• S: scleroderma and progressive systemic sclerosis

• H: Hamman-Rich syndrome (acute interstitial pneumonitia)

See also

• pulmonary fibrosis

• upper lobe pulmonary fibrosis

• conditions with upper lobe predominance (mnemonic)