Diagnostic Approach to Diffuse Parenchymal Lung Disease

摘要

Diffuse parenchymal lung disease (DPLD) encompasses a wide array of disorders, characterized by inflammatory and fibrotic changes affecting alveolar walls and airspaces. DPLD may be caused by myriad etiologies, with differing prognoses, natural history, and therapies. In this review, we focus on diverse immune-mediated, environmental, and idiopathic causes of DPLD. We present a comprehensive diagnostic approach that includes a careful occupational and environmental history, physical examination, radiographic and physiologic studies, and lung biopsy (selected patients). We discuss the salient characteristic of many DPLDs, and the role and limitations of surgical lung biopsies to diagnosis DPLD.