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The Diagnostic Approach to Interstitial Lung Disease

  • Interstitial Lung Disease (A Hajari Case, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Pulmonology Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Interstitial lung diseases are a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by varying degrees of inflammation and scarring of the lung parenchyma. Diagnosis can be challenging and requires careful multidisciplinary appraisal of carefully obtained history, physical examination, serological profile, imaging, and, at times, lung tissue. We aim to provide a roadmap for the diagnosis of ILD.

Recent Findings

The diagnostic criteria for IPF, which is the deadliest form of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, and HRCT pattern classification have been updated. Transbronchial cryobiopsies are becoming more prevalent but overall diagnostic yield compared to surgical lung biopsy is not known.

Summary

A technically adequate high-resolution CAT scan of the chest (HRCT) is a central element but a multidisciplinary evaluation of all available evidence is fundamental for the diagnosis of ILD.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Interstitial Lung Disease Program, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham and Birmingham VA Medical Center, THT 422, 1900 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL, 35294-0006, USA

    Kevin Dsouza & Joao A. de Andrade

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  1. Kevin Dsouza
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Correspondence to Joao A. de Andrade.

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Conflict of Interest

Joao de Andrade reports grants from NIH/NHLBI, grants and consulting fee from Genentech and Boehringer Ingelhiem.

Kevin Dsouza declares no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Interstitial Lung Disease

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Dsouza, K., de Andrade, J.A. The Diagnostic Approach to Interstitial Lung Disease. Curr Pulmonol Rep 7, 149–159 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13665-018-0216-1

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