Usual interstitial pneumonitis

Question 1

Aetiology

Answer 1

• Connective tissue disorders such a slerodema and rheumatoid arthiritis
• drugs
• occupational exposure
• infections
• Idiopathic- idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
• Cryptogenic- Cryptogenic fibrolising alveoli’s

Question 2

Histopathology

Answer 2

1-Proliferation:
-smooth muscle
-vasculature
-type 2 pneumocytes
-Fibroblastic foci
2-Patchy interstitial chronic inflammation
3-Old and new injuries recognised due to difference in time and space

Question 3

Some of the main syndromes?

Answer 3

1- Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
2- cryptogenic fibrolising alveoli
3- asbestos

Question 4

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis:

• risk factors
• signs/symptoms
• investigation
• Prognosis

Answer 4

Risk factors:
-age 
-male 
Symptoms:
-breathless
-cough 
Signs:
-crackles
-cyanosis
-clubbing 
Investigation 
-CXR: fibrosis in posterior base, cysts, diffusion infiltrates 
-Pulmonary function test: reduced gas transfer 
Prognosis:
-usually 5 year life expectancy 
-Some response to steroids 
-sometimes referred for transplant