6 Patterns > Alveolar Filling > Subpatterns

Alveolar Filling Sub-Patterns

There are 7 sub-patterns in the setting of alveolar filling.

Choose the image most similar to your case.  A differential diagnosis is given below.

SEE BELOW FOR SAMPLE SIGNOUT 

UIP copy.jpg

w/ Macrophages

  • Smoking Related (RB/DIP)

  • Secondary to Fibrosis

  • Airway Obstruction

granuloma in airspace.jpg

w/ Granulomas

  • Infection

  • Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis

  • Drug Reaction

  • Hot tub lung

GIP.jpg

w/ Giant cells

  • Hard Metal Disease (Giant cell intersitital pneumonia)

alv filling neoplasm copy.jpg

w/ Atypical Cells

  • Neoplasm

OP2.jpg

w/ Organizing Pneumonia

  • Infection

  • CTD

  • Drug Reaction

  • Idiopathic (COP)

eosinophils.jpg

w/ Eosinophilic Material

  • Infection

  • CTD

  • Drug reaction

  • Alveolar Hemorrhage

  • Eosinophilic Pneumonia

PMN.jpg

w/ Neutrophils 

  • Infection

  • Alveolar Hemorrhage

acute on chronic copy.jpg

w/ Blood and/or Siderophages

  • Artifact from biopsy

  • CTD

  • Drug Reaction

  • Alveolar Hemorrhage (ANCA)

  • Heart Failure

Sample Signout of the Alveolar Filling Pattern

If no additional specific histologic features are identified, consider the following approach to signing the case out:

Extensive alveolar filling by _______ (see comment).

Comment:  The biopsy shows extensive filing of the alveoli by ________. The differential diagnosis included _______ (from the above). Correlation with imaging studies, serology, microbiology studies, and clinical history is suggested.