Cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis (CFA) is a fibrosing lung disease that is characterized by inflammation and fibrosis of the alveoli and interstitium of the lungs, favoring the subpleural and basal regions.
There is some overlap in definition with the term idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis 1.
By definition, the diagnosis demands that all known causes of pulmonary fibrosis be excluded.
Differential diagnosis
On imaging consider other types of fibrosing alveolitides such as
- fibrosing alveolitis associated with systemic sclerosis (FASSc): in systemic sclerosis patients; may have lesser upper zone involvement 2
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