Lung fibrosis associated with collagen / vascular diseases |
• Diagnosis of progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Sjörgen’s syndrome, polymyositis/dermatomyositis on the basis of extrapulmonary symptoms and corresponding proof of auto-antibodies |
• Reticular changes in HRCT and restrictive lung function pattern |
• Absence of an alternative explanation for fibrotic lung disease |
Fibrotic NSIP |
• Histological diagnosis of a fibrotic NSIP pattern by open lung biopsy or cryobiopsy |
• HRCT consistent with fibrotic NSIP |
• Restrictive lung function pattern |
• Absence of an alternative explanation for fibrotic lung disease, especially no clinical suspicion of CVD |
Chronic Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis |
• Previous or current respiratory symptoms (dyspnea, coughing) with a temporal or spatial relation to a causative antigen exposure |
• Proof of precipitating antibody and/or lymphocytic alveolitis (>30%) |
• HRCT consistent with chronic HP |
• Restrictive lung function pattern |
• Absence of an alternative explanation for fibrotic lung disease |
Asbestos-induced lung fibrosis |
• Existence of asbestos-specific pleural changes in HRCT (pleural plaques) |
• Reticular changes in HRCT and restrictive lung function pattern |
• History of asbestos exposure |
• Absence of an alternative explanation for fibrotic lung disease |
• Absence of extensive pleural plaques and/or effusion |