Diffuse parenchymal lung disease: a practical overview

Educational aims

1. To describe the different aspects of lung biopsy.

2. To discuss the role of lung biopsy in the management of diffuse parenchymal lung disease.

Summary More than 200 entities comprise the diffuse parenchymal lung diseases (DPLDs), which include a wide spectrum of conditions, many uncommon and many of unknown aetiology. Although lung biopsies are considered as an essential tool for diagnosis in most cases of DPLDs, they are not frequently obtained from patients presenting with clinical evidence of DPLDs. Lung biopsy is an essential tool for diagnosis, assessment and determining prognosis in different types of DPLD. The morbidity associated with different types of lung biopsy appears to be relatively low and therefore it should be used early, preferably before starting any empirical treatment.