Desquamative interstitial pneumonia: still orphan and not always benign

Desquamative interstitial pneumonia (DIP) was originally described by Liebow et al. [1] in 1965, and so named because of the observation of cells filling the alveolar spaces and the belief that this feature was due to desquamation of alveolar epithelial cells. It has since been recognised that the dominant histologic feature of DIP represents accumulation of intra-alveolar macrophages, and sometimes of giant cells [2]. Although the more accurate terminology of "alveolar macrophage pneumonia" has been proposed, the term DIP has persisted [3].

Source: European Respiratory Review - June 22, 2020 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Cottin, V. Tags: Pulmonary vascular disease Editorials Source Type: research