No abstract

Sarcoidosis, a multisystem disorder of unknown cause, is characterized by the presence of non-caseating granulomas and the proliferation of epithelioid cells. Sarcoidosis mostly affects the lungs and mediastinal lymph nodes in 90% of cases. Caseation and necrosis are very rare. We report the present case in view of its rarity, as sarcoidosis with significant necrosis in mediastinal lymph nodes is a rare phenomenon and can mislead the treating physician into diagnosing it as tuberculosis, which can lead to exposure of the patient to undue side effects of anti-tubercular drugs.

Bronchial asthma is an inflammatory disease of the airways, which may be worsened due to many extrinsic factors. The most common trigger is the continuous exposure to allergens, of which fungal agents are important factors. A new phenotype of asthma called severe asthma with fungal sensitization (SAFS) has been described. It is diagnosed by the presence of severe asthma, fungal sensitization, and absence of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. SAFS is more of a diagnosis of exclusion. Treatment of SAFS initially should be similar to that of severe asthma including humanized anti-IgE monoclonal antibody and other biologics. These patients usually do not have their symptoms relieved with conventional treatment of severe asthma, i.e. high-dose inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting bronchodilators. Prolonged use of oral corticosteroids and pulse high-dose intravenous corticosteroid is effective. There are some evidence implicating the role of antifungal agents including itraconazole, but its use as a specific therapy requires further studies.

No abstract

Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) are a group of diffuse parenchymal lung disorders associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. These include a large number of conditions, with a wide range of underlying causes, clinical manifestations, imaging, and distinct pathological features with variable outcomes. Pulmonary fibrosis is a pathologic process that arises from multiple underlying causes. Monitoring disease progression has become a priority in guiding treatment decisions. This article aims to review pulmonary fibrosis in various interstitial lung disease entities along with underlying pathophysiological features, clinical features, diagnostic workup and current possible treatment modalities of these fibrotic lung diseases.