Interstitial Lung Disease - Overview

Question 1

What is meant by the term ‘interstitial lung disease’?

Answer 1

It is an umbrella term for any lung disease that diffusely affects the lung parenchyma

Question 2

What specifically characterises interstitial lung diseases?

Answer 2

Chronic inflammation and/or progressive interstitial fibrosis

Question 3

What are some known causes of interstitial lung disease?

Answer 3

• Occupation disease: asbestosis, silicosis.
• Drugs: amiodarone, nitrofurantoin, methotrexate, sulfasalazine, bleomycin.
• Hypersensitivity: extrinsic allergic alveolitis.
• Infections: TB.

Question 4

What are some systemic causes of interstitial lung disease?

Answer 4

• Sarcoidosis
• Ulcerative colitis
• Autoimmune thyroid disease
• Connective tissue disease: RA, SLE, systemic sclerosis, sjrogrens, Ank spond

Question 5

What are some idiopathic causes of interstitial lung disease?

Answer 5

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Question 6

What findings in a CXR would be indicative of interstitial lung disease?

Answer 6

Ground glass appearance in lungs

Question 7

What in a CXR can help indicate the underlying cause of the interstitial lung disease?

Answer 7

The location of the fibrosis

Question 8

What causes of interstitial lung disease are indicated by fibrosis in the upper zone?

Answer 8

Extrinsic allergic alveolitis, Ank spong, Radiotherapy, Sarcoidosis or TB

Question 9

What causes of interstitial lung disease are indicated by fibrosis in the mid zone?

Answer 9

Progressive massive fibrosis

Question 10

What causes of interstitial lung disease are indicated by fibrosis in the lower zone?

Answer 10

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis or Asbestosis