Diagnostic value of BAL lymphocytosis in patients with indeterminate for usual interstitial pneumonia imaging pattern

The introduction of antifibrotic agents to clinical practice and the need to better define patient populations for future clinical trials highlight the importance of accurate diagnosis. The main unmet need lies within the population of patients with fibrotic interstitial lung disease (f-ILD) and indeterminate for usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) pattern on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). The differential diagnosis mainly includes idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), ILD associated with occult collagen tissue disease and, most notably, chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

Source: European Respiratory Journal - November 13, 2019 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Tzilas, V., Tzouvelekis, A., Bouros, E., Karampitsakos, T., Ntasiou, M., Katsaras, M., Costabel, U., Wells, A., Bouros, D. Tags: Original Articles: Research letters Source Type: research