Semin Respir Crit Care Med 2003; 24(5): 595-606
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-815607
Copyright © 2003 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

Organizing Pneumonia: Cryptogenic and Disease Associated

Jean-François Cordier
  • Louis Pradel University Hospital, Lyon, France, and Claude Bernard University, Lyon, France
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Publication History

Publication Date:
15 January 2004 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Organizing pneumonia is defined by the presence of buds of granulation tissue (fibroblastic cells and connective matrix) within the alveolar lumen, usually associated with proliferative bronchiolitis obliterans. It may result from several causes, but cryptogenic organizing pneumonia is a distinct clinicopathologic entity with characteristic clinical and imaging features. Typical COP is thus easily recognized by the clinician, and the diagnosis is made by the finding of organizing pneumonia on lung biopsy specimen. The response to corticosteroids is rapid and complete usually without sequelae, but relapses occur frequently and prolonged corticosteroid treatment is often necessary.

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