Introduction

Abstract

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) describes a very comprehensive variety of pulmonary disorders of differing aetiology. As ILD can affect all the compartments of the lung and usually affect both lungs, they are also termed diffuse parenchymal lung disease. More specifically, an ILD is understood as a diffuse lung disorder arising on an inflammatory or fibro-proliferative basis, or a combination of both. In addition, tumorous and infectious lung diseases may also mimic diffuse pulmonary disorders, and it is sometimes difficult to distinguish these from other inflammatory and fibrotic processes.