[Chronic fibrosing lung diseases : Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis from the perspective of its differential diagnosis]

Abstract

Fibrosing lung diseases describe a heterogeneous group of interstitial lung diseases (ILD) of highly variable etiology, but with a unifying terminal process of irreversible, fibroproliterative destruction of the alveolar surface, loss of compliance and progressive impairment of gas exchange. In view of the heterogeneity, the disastrous prognoses in some cases and the treatment consequences, a thorough differential diagnosis is essential in all patients. Antifibrotic therapies are currently only indicated in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The only curative therapeutic option is lung transplantation. Therefore, suitable patients should be promptly evaluated.

Keywords: Alveolitis, extrinsic allergic; Computed tomography, high-resolution; Disease management; Lung diseases, interstitial; Lung transplantation.