Respiratory Medicine CME
Volume 1, Issue 1 , Pages 43-47, 2008

Initial presentation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis as an acute exacerbation

  • Krishna M. Sundar

      Affiliations

    • Department of Medicine, Utah Valley Pulmonary Clinic, 1055N, 300W, Suite 500, Provo, UT 84604, USA
    • Department of Medicine, University of Utah Medical Center, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Departments of Medicine, Utah Valley Pulmonary Clinic, 1055N, 300W, Suite 500, Provo, UT 84604, USA.
    • ,
  • Dixie L. Harris

      Affiliations

    • Department of Medicine, Utah Valley Pulmonary Clinic, 1055N, 300W, Suite 500, Provo, UT 84604, USA

Received 10 September 2007; accepted 1 November 2007.

Summary 

Two cases presenting as an acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) are presented. Both patients had good response to corticosteroids and exhibited the underlying pathology of organizing pneumonia superimposed on usual interstitial pneumonia. The challenges with diagnosing an IPF exacerbation in patients with previously unknown IPF are discussed. The impact of underlying histopathology during an exacerbation on patient outcomes is also discussed.

Keywords: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, Organizing pneumonia, Acute exacerbation

 

PII: S1755-0017(07)00010-3

doi:10.1016/j.rmedc.2007.11.004

Respiratory Medicine CME
Volume 1, Issue 1 , Pages 43-47, 2008

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