Interstitial lung disease - new aspects in pathogenesis, diagnosis and therapy

lnterstitial lung diseases (ILD) are characterized by an inflammatory process involving the alveolar wall and the interstitial space of the lungs ultimately leading to pulmonary fibrosis. Functionally, lung volumes and pulmonary gas exchange are impaired and arterial hypoxemia evolves. High-resolution computed tomography, bronchoalveolar lavage and transbronchial biopsy have improved the diagnostic tools in recent years. New pathogenetically based treatment concepts are presently developed, as for example the antioxidative therapy, additionally or alternatively to conventional immunosuppressive therapy. Moreover, for many patients lung transplantation has become a promising treatment option in recent years.