An approach to interstitial lung disease in India.
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Date
2013-01
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Abstract
Interstitial lung diseases are common and have varied etiology, clinical presentation,
clinical course and outcome. They pose a diagnostic challenge to physicians and
pulmonologists. Patients present with dry cough, exertional dyspnoea, interstitial
lesions on X-ray of the chest and restrictive ventilatory defect on spirometry. A sharp
decline in oxygen saturation with exercise is characteristic. Careful evaluation of the
history of the patient and physical examination help in narrowing down diagnostic
probabilities. HRCT of the chest has emerged as an important tool in the evaluation of
these disorders. Idiopathic Interstitial Pneumonias (IIP) are a group of conditions
which are classified into several types based on pathological features. Bronchoscopic
procedures are helpful in diagnosis of certain disorders but are of limited value in
classification of IIP which requires surgical biopsy. Usual Interstitial Pneumonia
(UIP), also referred to as Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, has a progressive course and
an unfavourable outcome. Certain new drugs have recently become available for
treatment of UIP. Our approach towards diagnosis and management of interstitial lung
diseases based on personal experience over the past three decades is reported here.
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Keywords
Usual interstitial pneumonia, sarcoidosis, pneumoconiosis, bronchoscopy, lung biopsy
Citation
Pande J N. An approach to interstitial lung disease in India. Annals of the National Academy of Medical Sciences (India). 2013 Jan-June; 49(1&2): 1-15.