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Updated: May 10, 2026
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Methodology for Sputum Induction and Laboratory Processing
Published on: December 17, 2017
Small airways diseases, excluding asthma and COPD: an overview
Pierre-Régis Burgel1, Anne Bergeron, Jacques de Blic
1Service de Pneumologie, Hôpital Cochin, AP-HP, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France.
Summary
This review summarizes small airways disease (bronchiolar involvement) in various conditions, excluding asthma and COPD. It covers histopathology, causes, and treatments for an integrated approach.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Pathology
Background:
- Small airways disease (SAD) involves bronchiolar pathology beyond asthma and COPD.
- Workshop focused on SAD in diverse pathophysiological contexts.
Framework:
- Reviewed histopathological patterns: cellular and obliterative bronchiolitis.
- Examined SAD associations: infections, connective tissue diseases, IBD, transplantation, immunodeficiency, panbronchiolitis, environmental exposures.
Implementation:
- Synthesized evidence on pathogenesis and clinical presentations.
- Integrated findings from computed tomography (CT) scans and pulmonary function tests (PFTs).
Implications:
- Provides an integrative approach to diagnosing and managing small airways diseases.
- Highlights the need for recognizing SAD in various systemic and environmental conditions.
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