Acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: report of two cases and review of literature

Abstract

Objective To improve awareness of acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and discuss its clinical characteristics,diagnostic criteria and treatment principles. Methods Two cases of acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis were reported and the literatures were reviewed.Results Two patients were older men, their condition suddenly deteriorated in the case of no clear incentive,and dyspnea was aggravated in half a month. Chest computer tomography showed new groundglass opacities on the basis of reticular shadow, honeycombing, traction bronchiectasis and other typical features of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. After corticosteroid treatment, asthma and cough significantly relieved, pulmonary ground-glass opacities reduced. Conclusions A small number of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis may have acute exacerbation in the absence of incentives. The main clinical manifestation is sharply deteriorated dyspnea in the short term. The chest imaging characteristic is new ground-glass opacities on the basis of typical features of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Corticosteroid treatment is effective for parts of patients. Key words: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis; Acute exacerbation; Ground-glass opacities; Corticosteroid