Abstract
Objective: To assess the importance of different tools for diagnosing interstitial lung diseases with specific emphasis on different types of lung biopsies.
Methods: Retrospective analysis of data from 150 patients who had entered a multidisciplinary discussion between 01/2019-07/2020.
Results: Most common diagnoses were sarcoidosis (N=41, 27.3%), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (N=26, 17.3%) and interstitial lung diseases related to connected tissue diseases (N=23, 15.3%). Lung biopsies were performed as follows (Table 1): cryobiopsy (N=13, 8.7%), transbronchial biopsy (N=17, 11.3%) and video-assisted thoracoscopy (N=10, 6.6%). Out of 40 patients with lung biopsies 65% were finally diagnosed (35% unclassified). Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis was diagnosed without lung biopsy in 88.5% of all cases.
Conclusion: In a real life setting, CT Thorax and bronchoalveolar lavage form the core tools for diagnosing different interstitial lung diseases, while the role of lung biopsies is subordinated. This is particularly true for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Table 1: Number of patient [%] with diagnostic procedures (diagnosis unknown in 1 patient)
Footnotes
Cite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2021; 58: Suppl. 65, PA2240.
This abstract was presented at the 2021 ERS International Congress, in session “Prediction of exacerbations in patients with COPD”.
This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).
- Copyright ©the authors 2021