Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: A Case of Mistaken Identity

Diffuse parenchymal lung diseases (DPLD), also known as interstitial lung diseases (ILD), are a group of lung disorders affecting alveolar epithelium, pulmonary capillary endothelium, and surrounding lung tissue. Over time due to injury, the tissue around the air sacs becomes fibrotic leading to poor oxygen exchange, eventually resulting in the patient experiencing shortness of breath. This case describes a 69-year old male who presented in 2017 with a complex clinical picture involving both cardiac and pulmonary systems. Drug toxicity was initially thought to be the cause of the patients interstitial lung process; however, ultimately, a diagnosis of UIP was made.