Idiopathic interstitial pneumonia
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Idiopathic interstitial pneumonia is a term used to describe a form of diffuse lung disease; diffuse lung disease is also known as interstitial lung disease.
Idiopathic interstitial pneumonia can be subclassified based on histologic appearance into the following patterns:[1]
- Desquamative interstitial pneumonia (DIP)
- Diffuse alveolar damage
- Lymphoid interstitial pneumonia (LIP)
- Nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP)
- Respiratory bronchiolitis
- Usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP)
- Organizing pneumonia
Pneumonia misnomer?
The definition of "pneumonia" is often described as a '... lung inflammation caused by a virus, bacteria or irritant.'[2]
Etymologically, the usage of "pneumonia" in idiopathic interstitial pneumonia is correct; the word "pneumonia" is derived from "pneumon" (lung) and the suffix "-ia" (condition).
References
- ↑ Leslie KO, Wick MR. Practical Pulmonary Pathology: A Diagnostic Approach. Elsevier Inc. 2005. ISBN 978-0-443-06631-3.
- ↑ Pneumonia. dictionary.com. URL: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/pneumonia. Accessed on: November 14, 2007.