La Revue du praticien
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Interstitial lung disease (ILD) may occur in the connective tissue diseases, with a negative impact on survival. The diagnosis of ILD is established by crackles of the lung bases at auscultation, and high resolution computed tomography of the chest demonstrating diffuse opacities predominating in the bases (ground glass opacities, reticular opacities, honeycombing, and traction bronchiectases). Bronchoalveolar lavage mostly contributes to the differential diagnosis. ⋯ ILD of various presentations may occur in Sjögren syndrome, possibly associated with thin-walled cysts; pulmonary lymphoma must be ruled out. Little information is available regarding treatment of ILD in connective tissue disease. Clinically modest short-term efficacy of cyclophosphamide treatment has been shown in systemic sclerosis, but was not maintained at 2 years.