Transbronchial Biopsy in Usual Interstitial Pneumonia.

The article examines whether diagnostic changes of usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) can be identified on transbronchial biopsy (TBB) specimens in the United States. The study examines 21 patients with UIP confirmed by surgical lung biopsy and/or lung explant and one patient with UIP confirmed by clinical and radiographic findings. Characteristic histologic features include adequacy of tissue for diagnosis, varying combinations of interstitial fibrosis in a patchwork pattern along with fibroblast foci and/or honeycomb change. The authors concluded that the features can be appreciated on TBB specimens.