PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Theresia A Mikolasch
AU  - Helen S Garthwaite
AU  - Joanna C Porter
TI  - Update in diagnosis and management of interstitial lung disease
AID  - 10.7861/clinmedicine.16-6-s71
DP  - 2016 Dec 01
TA  - Clinical Medicine
PG  - s71--s78
VI  - 16
IP  - Suppl 6
4099  - http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/16/Suppl_6/s71.short
4100  - http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/16/Suppl_6/s71.full
SO  - Clin Med2016 Dec 01; 16
AB  - The field of interstitial lung disease (ILD) has undergone significant evolution in recent years, with an increasing incidence and more complex, ever expanding disease classification. In their most severe forms, these diseases lead to progressive loss of lung function, respiratory failure and eventually death. Despite notable advances, progress has been challenged by a poor understanding of pathological mechanisms and patient heterogeneity, including variable progression. The diagnostic pathway is thus being continually refined, with the introduction of tools such as transbronchial cryo lung biopsy and a move towards genetically aided, precision medicine. In this review, we focus on how to approach a patient with ILD and the diagnostic process.