[Diagnostics of interstitial lung diseases in the multidisciplinary team]

Diagnostics of interstitial lung diseases in the multidisciplinary team Abstract. Interstitial lung diseases present clinically with unspecific respiratory symptoms and can either be attributed to various causes or occur idiopathically. The final diagnosis should be set after multidisciplinary discussion (MDD) between pulmonologist, radiologist and pathologist. Pathology provides results of bronchoalveolar lavage, transbronchial forceps biopsies, cryobiopsies and most importantly surgical lung biopsies (so called wedge-biopsies). The indication for the acquisition of tissue for pathological investigation and the technique chosen depend on the radiological picture and the suspected diagnosis. Indication and technique of biopsy should also be determined in the MDD. In the present review, we will exemplify the value and necessity of the interdisciplinary approach on selected entities of interstitial lung diseases.