pathological features

Last edited 04/2023 and last reviewed 05/2023

The pathological features of cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis include:

• migration of large mononuclear cells into the alveolar spaces, associated with acute symptoms
• thickening of the alveolar walls with fibrosis, associated with chronic disease
• the pathogenesis is unknown but it is thought there is an alteration in cell-mediated immunity, perhaps activated T lymphocytes increase fibroblastic activity.