[Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis (extrinsic allergic alveolitis)].
Farmer's lung was first described in 1932. We can define hypersensitivity pneumonitis as a pulmonary and systemic disease that is accompanied by dyspnoea and coughing; it is caused by an immunological type of inflammation of the alveolar walls and the terminal airways and it is secondary to the repeated inhalation of a variety of antigens by a susceptible host. It can be said that it is an underdiagnosed disease and only a high degree of clinical manifestations and a detailed history of exposure can lead to an early diagnosis and satisfactory treatment. A combination among clinical-radiological, functional, cytological or pathological findings leads in some cases to a diagnosis. Treatment is based on avoiding further exposure to the causal agent and in the more serious cases the administration of systemic corticoid treatment.
Cebollero
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P
Sección de Neumología, Hospital Virgen del Camino, Pamplona, 31008, Spain. pcebollr@cfnavarra.es
Echechipía
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S
Echegoyen
A
A
Lorente
M P
MP
Fanlo
P
P
D000542:Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018893:Bronchoalveolar Lavage; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents