Štefan Tóth, Ružena Tkáčová
More than 200 acute and chronic lung disorders with variable degrees of pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis are collectively referred to as interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) or diffuse parenchymal lung diseases. Idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIP) represent a subgroup of ILDs. The ratio of the degree of pulmonary inflammation (alveolitis) to the degree of diffuse interstitial fibrosis differs in different ILDs, and ultimately it determines the prognosis of a given disease. The classification of ILDs includes: a) diseases of known origin (i.e. inhalation of organic or inorganic dusts, drugs, shock lungs, carcinomatous lymphangiopathy etc.), b) diseases of unknown origin (i.e. collagen vascular diseases, sarcoidosis, histiocytosis X, vasculitis, eosinophilic pneumonias, and IIPs). Establishing a diagnosis of IIP is based upon dynamic interaction between the pneumologist, radiologist and pathologist.