Smoking-Induced Diffuse Cystic Lung Diseases

Abstract

Cigarette smoke is a complex mixture of more than 4000 chemicals, many of which exert toxic effects on cellular function. In addition to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cancer, cigarette smokers may develop diffuse interstitial and bronchiolar disorders. These diffuse lung diseases are referred to as “smoking-related interstitial lung diseases,” a term that recognizes the causal association with cigarette smoking. Several of the cigarette smoking-induced diffuse lung diseases are associated with pulmonary parenchymal cystic change. This chapter focuses on the mechanisms of cigarette smoking-induced cystic lung disease development and clinical characterization and management of smoking-induced cystic lung disease.KeywordsSmokingCystic lung diseaseRespiratory bronchiolitis (RB)Desquamative interstitial pneumonia (DIP)Pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis (PLCH)Combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE)Airspace enlargement with fibrosis (AEF)