Respiratory bronchiolitis

Changed by Ayush Goel, 3 Apr 2015
Hidden edits. Some edits not affecting the appearance of this article have been suppressed.

Updates to Article Attributes

Body was changed:

Respiratory bronchiolitis refers to a histological finding that can be often seen in heavy smokers, and consists of mild chronic inflammation and accumulation of pigmented macrophages within respiratory bronchioles and related alveoli 1-2. A small amount of fibrosis in the walls of respiratory bronchioles may also be present 2 however these changes are too mild to present with symptoms (by definition).

It is closely related to respiratory bronchiolitis interstitial lung disease (RB-ILD) which represents a more advanced form of the same condition and is also seen almost exclusively amongst smokers. Along the same spectrum of disease is also desquamative interstitial lung disease (DIP) 1 although it is not confined only to smokers. 

Radiographic features

Usually respiratory bronchiolitis has no imaging findings, although occasionally minor patchy ground glass opacities and ill-defined centrilobular nodules may be seen, which tend to be more pronounced in the upper zones 2.

EtymologyHistory and etymology

It is thought to have been first described by DE Niewoehner et.al is 1974 3-4,4.

See also

  • -<p><strong>Respiratory bronchiolitis</strong> refers to a histological finding that can be often seen in heavy smokers, and consists of mild chronic inflammation and accumulation of pigmented macrophages within respiratory bronchioles and related alveoli <sup>1-2</sup>. A small amount of fibrosis in the walls of respiratory bronchioles may also be present <sup>2</sup> however these changes are too mild to present with symptoms (by definition).</p><p>It is closely related to <a href="/articles/respiratory-bronchiolitis-interstitial-lung-disease-1">respiratory bronchiolitis interstitial lung disease (RB-ILD)</a> which represents a more advanced form of the same condition and is also seen almost exclusively amongst smokers. Along the same spectrum of disease is also <a href="/articles/desquamative-interstitial-pneumonia">desquamative interstitial lung disease (DIP)</a> <sup>1</sup> although it is not confined only to smokers. </p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><p>Usually respiratory bronchiolitis has no imaging findings, although occasionally minor patchy ground glass opacities and ill-defined <a href="/articles/centrilobular-lung-nodules-1">centrilobular nodules</a> may be seen, which tend to be more pronounced in the upper zones <sup>2</sup>.</p><h4>Etymology</h4><p>It is thought to have been first described by <strong>DE </strong><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family:lucida sans unicode,arial,lucida grande,tahoma,verdana,helvetica,sans-serif; line-height:16px"><strong>Niewoehner</strong> et.al is 1974 <sup>3-4</sup>.</span></p><h4>See also</h4><ul>
  • +<p><strong>Respiratory bronchiolitis</strong> refers to a histological finding that can be often seen in heavy smokers, and consists of mild chronic inflammation and accumulation of pigmented macrophages within respiratory bronchioles and related alveoli <sup>1-2</sup>. A small amount of fibrosis in the walls of respiratory bronchioles may also be present <sup>2</sup> however these changes are too mild to present with symptoms (by definition).</p><p>It is closely related to <a href="/articles/respiratory-bronchiolitis-interstitial-lung-disease-1">respiratory bronchiolitis interstitial lung disease (RB-ILD)</a> which represents a more advanced form of the same condition and is also seen almost exclusively amongst smokers. Along the same spectrum of disease is also <a href="/articles/desquamative-interstitial-pneumonia">desquamative interstitial lung disease (DIP)</a> <sup>1</sup> although it is not confined only to smokers. </p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><p>Usually respiratory bronchiolitis has no imaging findings, although occasionally minor patchy ground glass opacities and ill-defined <a href="/articles/centrilobular-lung-nodules-1">centrilobular nodules</a> may be seen, which tend to be more pronounced in the upper zones <sup>2</sup>.</p><h4>History and etymology</h4><p>It is thought to have been first described by <strong>DE </strong><strong>Niewoehner</strong> et.al is 1974 <sup>3,4</sup>.</p><h4>See also</h4><ul>

ADVERTISEMENT: Supporters see fewer/no ads

Updating… Please wait.

 Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.

 Thank you for updating your details.