Rev Pneumol Clin
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Interstitial lung diseases (ILD) associated with connective tissue disorders differ from idiopathic ILD in several aspects, although most of them are comparable. In most patients, ILD occurs during the course, or at the time of diagnosis of connective tissue disease. Opportunistic pulmonary infections, together with adverse effects of treatment should always be discussed. ⋯ ILD must be detected early in the course of collagen disorders by performing computed tomodensitometry and pulmonary function tests. The prognosis of connective tissue associated ILD is better than that of idiopathic ILD. The treatment requires corticosteroids and/or immunosuppressants, depending on the nature of the associated connective tissue disease and ILD progression.
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Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is a minimally invasive method for exploring the distal lung. It enables collection of free cellular and acellular material present in the alveoli. Over the last two decades BAL has become a fundamental tool for positive diagnosis of interstitial lung disease and even more for differential diagnosis. ⋯ With BAL, a number of infectious or tumoral diseases can be ruled out with precision. It is also an important element for the evaluation of possible iatrogenic disease. BAL has transformed the diagnosis of interstitial lung disease and considerably reduced the indications for surgical biopsy.