INTERSTIZIAL LUNG DISEASES

By this characteristic of a heterogeneous group of lung diseases which affect both the pulmonary parenchyma and the airways, have common characteristics (clinical, imaging, etc.) and are characterized by chronic inflammation. Progressive may result in pulmonary fibrosis.

CLASSIFICATION

Occasionally different classifications have been proposed the last of which distinguishes them into 5 categories:

1. Diseases associated with systemic diseases

(eg rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus, ankylosing spondylitis, polymyositis-dermatomyositis, Κοκκιωμάτωση Wegener, Kokkiomatosi Churg-Strauss, Vechet Syndrome, Syndrome Goodpasture, Idiopathic Pulmonary Aimosidirosi, systemic sclerosis)

2. Diseases caused by drugs or environmental factors

(Extrinsic allergic kypseliditida, Silicosis, etc.)

3. Granulomatous disease

(Sarcoidosis, Virylliosi, Istiokyttarosi, etc.)

4. Idiopathic interstitial pneumonia

(Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, acute interstitial pneumonia, Kryptogenis periodically organized pneumonia, etc.)

5. Other interstitial lung disease

(Amyloidosis, eosinophilic pneumonia, Lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia, Lumpy sclerosis, Neurofibromatosis, Alveolar proteinosi, Lemfoangeioleiomyomatosi, etc.)

COMMON FEATURES

The symptoms and laboratory findings vary depending on the specific disease. But at the same time have in common (clinical & laboratory) as:

* Progressively worsening shortness of breath fatigue
* Dry, especially paroxysmal cough
* Creak Fine rales at the hearing
* Common imaging features
* Restrictive type ventilation disorder and decrease the expansive capacity of the lungs, where the operational control of breathing
* Pulmonary fibrosis in the later stages

DIAGNOSTIC INVESTIGATION

Besides the clinical and physical examination, which often guide us in 'a particular disease, the confirmation will be made with the laboratory findings, which include.

* Blood tests
* Chest X-ray
* Computed tomography thorax usually high definition, which in many cases, diagnostic
* Operational control breathing (spirometry & expansive lung capacity)
* Vronchokypselidiki bronchoscopy and leaching
* Lung biopsy (a) Diavronchiki biopsy

or (b) Open biopsy

THERAPY

Treatment in most of these diseases requires

* High doses of corticosteroid (cortisone)
* Immunosuppressive drugs.
* In some cases and under specific conditions required lung transplantation