Pulmonary capillaritis

Last revised by Craig Hacking on 28 Aug 2018

Pulmonary capillaritis is a general term given to inflammation of the pulmonary capillaries. It is essentially a histopathological diagnosis 3.

Pathology

The underlying inflammation leads to the disruption alveolar-capillary basement membrane integrity with resultant flooding of the alveoli with blood.

The key histopathologic features of pulmonary capillaritis include 2

  • capillary wall necrosis with infiltration by neutrophils
  • interstitial erythrocytes, and/or hemosiderin
  • interalveolar septal capillary occlusion by fibrin thrombi

It can result from varying underlying pathology including

If the capillaritis is widespread it can result in diffuse alveolar hemorrhage.

See also

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