The role of histology in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: an update.
The diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) currently requires an integrated clinical-radiological-pathological approach in which the histology plays a different role from in the past. The first reason for this change is that non-invasive diagnostic procedures, particularly pulmonary function tests and high resolution computed tomography, have become increasingly competitive with biopsy in providing prognostic information. The other reason is a better appreciation of the limitations of histology: sampling error and interobserver variation. In this review we analyze the reasons for this change of perspective, provide an update on the practical role of histology in the diagnosis of IPF and discuss some of its complications.
Cavazza
Alberto
A
Unità Operativa di Anatomia Patologica, Ospedale Santa Maria Nuova, Viale Risorgimento 80, 42100 Reggio Emilia, Italy. alberto.cavazza@asmn.re.it
Rossi
Giulio
G
Carbonelli
Cristiano
C
Spaggiari
Lucia
L
Paci
Massimiliano
M
Roggeri
Alberto
A
D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054990:Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D015588:Observer Variation; D011379:Prognosis; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests / Q000639:trends; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000639:trends