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An introduction to the interstitial lung diseases
Clinics in Chest Medicine
|September 1, 1982
Summary
Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) involve alveolitis and fibrosis. Early alveolitis with less fibrosis indicates better treatment response for ILDs. Monitoring disease activity shows promise with new methods.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Pathology
- Radiology
Background:
- Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) are a diverse group of lung disorders.
- Histopathology typically shows alveolitis and alveolar septal fibrosis.
- Alveolitis is believed to precede and cause connective tissue alterations in ILDs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current understanding of ILDs.
- To discuss diagnostic and monitoring tools for ILDs.
- To correlate clinicopathologic findings with treatment response.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinicopathologic correlative data.
- Evaluation of diagnostic tools including lung biopsy, chest roentgenograms, and pulmonary function testing.
- Assessment of emerging monitoring techniques like gallium lung scanning and bronchoalveolar lavage.
Main Results:
- Patients with active alveolitis and minimal fibrosis show the best response to treatment.
- Patients with minimal alveolitis and severe fibrosis have a poor prognosis.
- Lung biopsy is the gold standard for assessing alveolitis severity, but other methods show potential.
Conclusions:
- Treatment success in ILDs is linked to the stage of alveolitis and fibrosis.
- Gallium lung scanning and bronchoalveolar lavage are promising for monitoring disease activity.
- Bronchoalveolar lavage may aid management but is not recommended for routine evaluation currently.