Idiopathic interstitial pneumonias in LUTH--A morphologic study of three cases

Idiopathic interstitial pneumonias are rarely diagnosed in our environment. However in in the year 2000 a group of new cases were histologically diagnosed in the Department of Morbid Anatomy of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). This study aims to review the clinical and morphologic features of the three cases or Idiopathic Interstitial Pneumonias seen at surgicals and autopsy over a 10 year period (March 1995 to March 2005) in LUTH; as well as discuss some clinicopathologic features of interstitial pneumonias.

A review of the cases seen at surgicals and autopsy from March 1995 to March 2005 was done by retrieving the relevant reports. Cases described with interstitial pneumonitis were re-evaluated and their respective paraffin blocks re-cut for special staining to better demonstrate the changes in morphology.

A total of 3 cases were retrieved from the ten year period reviewed. Incidentally, all occurred in the year 2000. Their mean age was 57 years and the male to female ratio was 2:1. The 'Usual Interstitial Pneumonitis' pattern was more common.

Interstitial pneumonias are rare in our environment; the apparent emergence of three cases in the year 2000 alone is a curiosity as a search over a ten year period (March 1995 to March 2005) yielded no other histologically convincing case. An increased index of clinical suspicion on the part of our clinicians and pathologists as well as collaborative research involving several specialists and Medical Institutions will be required to determine the true frequency of this disease in our environment and its peculiar clinicopathological features.