Dark Lung Diseases

Abstract

Constrictive bronchiolitis (CB) refers to an irreversible destructive process characterized by inflammation and concentric fibrosis in the bronchiolar submucosal layer, associated with luminal occlusion and resulting in extrinsic compression and obliteration of the airway. CB is limited to the bronchioles and does not extend into the alveoli. The causes of CB include toxic fumes, oral toxins, respiratory infections (Mycoplasma), drugs, connective tissue diseases (particularly rheumatoid arthritis), and organ transplantation. CB is the most common form of chronic rejection in patients with lung transplants, occurring in up to 50 % of patients, especially after graft-versus-host reaction. CB is also seen as a manifestation of graft-versus-host disease in 10 % of people who have received allogeneic bone marrow transplants. Imaging findings in patients with this form of bronchiolitis are identical to those found with CB after lung transplantation