Respiratory Bronchiolitis Interstitial Lung Disease

Respiratory bronchiolitis interstitial lung disease refers to a form of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia associated with smoking.

It is a histological finding, not a pathological description. When associated with disease, it is known as "Respiratory bronchiolitis-associated interstitial lung disease" or "RB-ILD". Also, this disease is predominately found in the upper lobe with centrilobar ground glass nodules. Importantly, no fibrosis is involved, just bronchial wall thickening. Treatment is to stop smoking.

The appearance is similar to desquamative interstitial pneumonia, and some have suggested that the two conditions are caused by the same processes.

See also

• Bronchiolitis