[Pathologic diagnosis of usual interstitial pneumonia].
OBJECTIVE
To discuss pathologic differential diagnosis between UIP and the other types of IPF.


METHODS
The slides (routine and histochemical stain) of 4 autopsy cases of UIP were reviewed.


RESULTS
The most significant characteristic of UIP is that the interstial changes show temporal heterogeneity and variable distribution. The earlier stage of UIP shows an interstitial infiltrate of chronic inflammation cells and the progressive stage appears significant interstitial fibrosis. The honeycomb change and muscular cirrhosis are the characteristics of the end stage.


CONCLUSIONS
For clinical purpose, the distinction of UIP and the other types of IPF is of great significance because of marked differences in the prognosis and therapy.
Jiang
Z
Z
Pathology Department, PUMC Hospital, PUMC, Beijing 100730, China.
Liu
H
H
D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology