Pathology of Idiopathic Interstitial Pneumonias

This review discusses diagnostic pathology in idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIPs). Accurate understanding of basic structure of lung lobules is critical because the location of abnormalities inside the lobule is an important effector of pathology diagnosis. Depending on the method of obtaining tissue, recognition of the location may be difficult or impossible. Cryobiopsy is a new technology and its coverage of lung lobules is limited. This article discusses fundamental anatomy and approach to interstitial pneumonia. In addition, most histologic types of IIPs are covered, but the focus is on diagnosis of usual interstitial pneumonia because of its clinical importance.