Pulmonary fibrosis

Last revised by Liz Silverstone on 7 Mar 2024

Pulmonary fibrosis is the preferred general term for the permanent replacement of lung parenchyma by connective tissue and is typically associated with functional impairment. A variety of insults cause focal or diffuse lung injury (mechanical, infectious, inflammatory and iatrogenic). Lung repair culminates in fibrosis with volume loss and architectural distortion. CT may also show traction bronchiectasis/bronchiolectasis and honeycombing 11.

The term should not be confused with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, which is a progressive fibrotic lung disease.

Fibrosis in the lung is a process that occurs in the interstitium. Pulmonary fibrosis can be localized, segmental, or lobar or affect the entirety of the lung(s). Among the many conditions associated with pulmonary fibrosis are:

Many features can imply underlying pulmonary fibrosis,  these include:

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