Abstract
Background: The diagnostic and prognostic impact of traction bronchiectasis on high resolution CT scan (HRCT) in patients suspected to have idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is increasing significantly. Main body: Recent data demonstrated that cysts in honeycombing areas are covered by epithelium expressing bronchiolar markers. In IPF bronchiolization is the final consequence of a variety of pathogenic events starting from alveolar stem cell exhaustion, and ending in a abnormal/dysplastic proliferation of bronchiolar epithelium. CT scan features of traction bronchiectasis and honeycombing should be interpreted under the light of these new pathogenetic and morphologic considerations. Short conclusion: We suggest that in IPF subjects traction bronchiectasis and honeycombing -now defined as distinct entities on HRCT scan- are actually diverse aspects of a continuous spectrum of lung remodeling.
Original language | English (US) |
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Article number | 87 |
Journal | BMC Pulmonary Medicine |
Volume | 16 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs |
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State | Published - 2016 |
Keywords
- Bronchiolar dysplastic proliferation
- Fibroblastic Foci
- Honeycombing
- Traction bronchiectasis
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine