Desquamative interstitial pneumonia
Desquamative interstitial pneumonia | |
---|---|
Specialty | Pulmonology |
Desquamative interstitial pneumonia (DIP) is a form of
The term DIP is a misnomer.
It is associated with patients with a history of smoking.[5] Since more than 80% of cases occur in smokers, it has been suggested that the term DIP should be discarded and the subset occurring in smokers should be replaced with more accurate terms such as smoking-related interstitial fibrosis (SRIF).[3] Although smoking is the most common cause, studies have shown a relationship between occupational exposures and the development of DIP, including occupational dust, fire-extinguisher powder, diesel fumes, nylon filaments and beryllium and copper dust.[6] Additionally, DIP has been observed in children where it typically presents as a result of surfactant protein gene mutations, indicating that the disease is not always acquired in adulthood.[7]
Smoking cessation and avoidance of secondhand smoke exposure are both crucial to preventing disease progression, however, treatment with corticosteroids and immunosuppressive therapy has been reported to be effective pharmacologic intervention.[8] Treatment with methylprednisolone has been reported.[9]