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The differential diagnosis includes other types of lung disease that cause similar symptoms and show similar abnormalities on chest radiographs. Some of these diseases cause fibrosis, scarring or honeycomb change. The most common considerations include: chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis; non-specific interstitial pneumonia; sarcoidosis
Pulmonary fibrosis is a condition in which the lungs become scarred over time. [1] Symptoms include shortness of breath , a dry cough, feeling tired, weight loss, and nail clubbing . [ 1 ] Complications may include pulmonary hypertension , respiratory failure , pneumothorax , and lung cancer .
The median survival in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is 3-3.5 years. In those who receive a lung transplant, the medial survival in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is 5.2 years, as compared to 6.7 years in those with other types of ILD. [8] ILD is associated with a 3-fold increased risk of lung cancer. [8]
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) synonymous with cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis [5] is a rare, progressive illness of the respiratory system, characterized by the thickening and stiffening of lung tissue, associated with the formation of scar tissue.
The condition is most often diagnosed using an X-ray or CT scan, the latter more readily detecting mild cases. Fibrothorax is often treated conservatively with watchful waiting but may require surgery. The outlook is usually good as long as there is no underlying pulmonary fibrosis or complications following surgery. The disease is highly uncommon.
Restrictive lung diseases are a category of extrapulmonary, pleural, or parenchymal respiratory diseases that restrict lung expansion, [2] resulting in a decreased lung volume, an increased work of breathing, and inadequate ventilation and/or oxygenation. Pulmonary function test demonstrates a decrease in the forced vital capacity.
Fibrosis can occur in many tissues within the body, typically as a result of inflammation or damage. Common sites of fibrosis include the lungs, liver, kidneys, brain, and heart: Micrograph showing cirrhosis of the liver. The tissue in this example is stained with a trichrome stain, in which fibrosis is colored blue.
Pulmonary siderosis does not usually cause harmful scar tissue formation within the lungs, which is why it said to be non-fibrotic condition, unlike asbestosis for example, and has also been called "benign pneumoconiosis". [2] Mild to moderate scarring of the lungs has been found in unusual cases of pulmonary siderosis.