Honeycomb Lung (Interstitial Fibrosis)

Abstract

<h3>Common</h3> [Cystic bronchiectasis] Histiocytosis X (especially eosinophilic granuloma) Idiopathic interstitial fibrosis (Hamman-Rich ) Pneumoconiosis Sarcoidosis <h3>Uncommon</h3> Amyloidosis Chemical inhalation (late stage) Desquamative interstitial pneumonitis (DIP) Drug sensitivity, chronic or recurrent (eg, nitrofurantoin, hexamethonium, busulfan) Gaucher disease Lipoid pneumonia (eg, mineral oil aspiration) [Lymphangiomyomatosis] Oxygen toxicity [Mucoviscidosis] Neurofibromatosis Rheumatoid lung Scleroderma; dermatomyositis Sensitivity pneumonitis, recurrent (eg, farmer's lung, bagassosis) Tuberous sclerosis (Entities in brackets can be confused roentgenographically with true honeycomb lung. ) <h3>Diagnosis</h3> Eosinophilic granuloma. <h3>COMMENTS</h3> In analyzing this Gamut, a number of the possibilities offered, such as chemical inhalation, rheumatoid lung, and scleroderma are excluded by the lack of specific clinical information. Of the common causes, cystic bronchiectasis tends to show fluid in the cysts and to expand on inspiration; pneumoconiotics have a history of dust exposure. Therefore, idiopathic interstitial fibrosis (the