Lung disease in the news

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Drug-induced lung disease is not a single disease but, rather, a complex clinical entity in which a patient with no previous lung disease develops respiratory symptoms, changes on chest x-ray, worsening respiratory function, histological changes, or numerous of these findings in association with drug therapy.

More than 150 drugs or drug categories have been described as causes of lung disease; the mechanism is rarely known, but many drugs are thought to cause a hypersensitivity response. Some drugs (eg, nitrofurantoin) can cause different types of injury in different patients.

Depending on the drug

Drug-induced syndromes can lead to interstitial fibrosis, organizational pneumonia, asthma, non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema, pleural effusion, pulmonary eosinophilia, pulmonary haemorrhage, or veno-occlusive disease ({blank} Substances with pulmonary toxic effects).

Interstitial lung disease (also diffuse interstitial lung disease or interstitial lung disease) is a term used to describe a number of different disorders affecting the interstitial space. The interstitial space is composed of the walls of the air cavities of the lungs (alveoli) and the spaces adjacent to the blood vessels and small airways. Interstitial lung diseases result in abnormal accumulation of inflammatory cells in lung tissue, wheezing and coughing, and are similar in appearance to imaging tests but are not related to each other. Some are very rare.

In the initial stage of the disease, an accumulation of leukocytes, macrophages and high-protein fluid is generated in the interstitial space, which causes inflammation. If the inflammation persists, scar tissue (fibrosis) can form to replace normal lung tissue. With progressive destruction, the alveoli are replaced by thick-walled cysts (defined as honeycomb due to the resemblance to the cells of a beehive). The consequence of these changes is termed pulmonary fibrosis.

Overview of interstitial lung disease

Although the various interstitial lung diseases are distinct and originate from different causes, they share some manifestations. All of them reduce the ability to transfer oxygen to the blood and all stiffen and constrict the lungs resulting in shortness of breath and coughing. However, the ability to eliminate carbon dioxide from the blood is usually preserved.

  • Chest x-rays and computed tomography
  • Pulmonary function test
  • Arterial blood gas analysis

Since interstitial lung diseases give rise to symptoms that are similar to those associated with much more common conditions (eg pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD]), suspicion may not arise initially. If interstitial lung disease is suspected, diagnostic tests are done. These can vary based on the suspected disease but tend to be similar.

The majority of patients undergo chest x-rays, chest computed tomography (CT), pulmonary function tests, and often arterial blood gases. CT is more sensitive than chest x-ray and facilitates a more specific diagnosis. It is performed with resolution maximization techniques (high resolution CT).

Pulmonary function tests often show an extreme reduction in the volume of air contained in the lungs. Arterial blood gas analysis allows you to measure the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide present in arterial blood and determine the acidity (pH) of the blood.

To confirm the diagnosis, a small portion of lung tissue can be taken for microscopic examination (lung biopsy), using a procedure known as fiber optic bronchoscopy. This type of lung biopsy is called a transbronchial lung biopsy. In many cases, it is necessary to take a larger sample to be surgically removed, sometimes using the thoracoscope (a procedure called video-assisted thoracoscopic lung biopsy).

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