Challenges in the classification of fibrotic ILD: Patient case 2

Sarcoidosis Vasc Diffuse Lung Dis. 2015 Aug 3:32 Suppl 1:13-6.

Abstract

PATIENT PRESENTATION AND DIAGNOSTIC WORK-UP: The patient is a 72-year-old man presenting with dyspnoea on exertion. He is a former heavy smoker (40 pack-years) and his father, now deceased, had rheumatoid arthritis (RA). On physical examination he had mild bi-basilar crackles but no finger clubbing. Autoimmune serology was positive for rheumatoid factor (RF: 25 IU/ml). Lung function tests showed normal FVC, a FEV1/FVC ratio of 72% and a TLCO of 49% predicted. Lung CT showed centrilobular and paraseptal emphysema, subpleural fine reticulation and traction bronchiolectasis, with no clear basal predominance (Figure 1). BAL cytology showed 83% alveolar macrophages, 12% lymphocytes, 3% neutrophils, and 2% eosinophils.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use*
  • Aged
  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Bronchoscopy / methods
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Disease Progression
  • Dyspnea / diagnosis
  • Dyspnea / etiology
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis / classification
  • Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis / diagnosis*
  • Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis / drug therapy
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Pulmonary Emphysema / diagnosis*
  • Pulmonary Emphysema / etiology
  • Respiratory Function Tests
  • Risk Assessment
  • Smoking / adverse effects*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones