Interstitial lung disease. New concepts on pathophysiology and management

Abstract

The interstitial lung diseases are a heterogeneous group of disorders that have similar clinics, roentgen graphic and physiological features. The principal histopathological damage is fibrosis secondary to alveolitis. Those patients with minimal changes respond to treatment. Lung biopsy IS the standard tor assessing the severity of disease. Other methodologies as broncoalveolar lavage. Galliurn scans appear to be useful. The physical properties of collagen offer promissory features. Steroids remain the mainstay of therapy for suppression of the alveolitis of these diseases until this moment.