title: Bird fancier's lung: clinical-radiological presentation in 15 cases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bird fancier's lung (BFL) is a type of hypersensitivity pneumonitis occurring in response to avian antigens (usually inhaled proteins in bird feathers and droppings). The diagnosis is based on a combination of clinical, radiological, and biopsy characteristics. The present study was planned to highlight the clinico-radiological presentation in cases of BFL.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present study is a retrospective analysis of cases of bird fancier's lung diagnosed in a unit of Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute over a period of two years, from 2013-2014. The clinico-radiological features of the subjects were analysed. The diagnosis of BFL was made as per criteria laid down by Mark Schuyler and Yvon Cormier.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were a total of fifteen cases diagnosed with BFL during the study period, comprising twelve females and three males with a mean age of 54.93 ± 14.21 years. All the studied subjects gave significant history of exposure to pigeons and were non-smokers. The period of symptoms prior to presentation varied from one to eight years. The main symptoms on presentation were exertional breathlessness and cough. Radiologically, diffuse centrilobular nodules, ground glassing - diffuse or patchy predominant in upper lobes, fibrosis with or without traction bronchiectasis, honeycombing, and mediastinal lymphadenopathy were seen. Bronchoscopy showed ill-defined granulomas and chronic interstitial inflammation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  BFL can exhibit a wide range of radiological patterns, and a high index of suspicion must be maintained, with particular attention to detailed exposure history in every case of interstitial lung disease.
authors.affiliation: rajkumarvpci@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Raj
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Mandeep
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Singh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001716:Bird Fancier's Lung / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests / Q000379:methods; D003371:Cough / Q000503:physiopathology; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010808:Physical Examination; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies