Interstitial Lung Disease Program

Interstitial lung diseases (ILD) are a group of lung disorders that can produce inflammation and/or scarring in the lungs. Sometimes the cause of these diseases can be discovered, but most often the underlying reason for the lung disorder is unknown, or "idiopathic". The evaluation of patients with ILD includes a comprehensive assessment to look for known causes, including occupational and environmental exposures, autoimmune diseases, drug exposures, and hereditary diseases. Treatment may include immunosuppressive or antifibrotic therapy as well as the consideration of entry into a clinical trial for the use of more experimental therapies. Lung transplantation is discussed for those with severe disease.

The interstitial lung diseases are difficult to diagnose and treat even for experienced pulmonologists. To address the needs of these patients, a multidisciplinary Interstitial Lung Disease Center was established in 1997. This program is directed by Dr. Danielle Antin-Ozerkis, and staffed by Drs. Mridu Gulati, Erica Herzog, and Jonathan Siner. Expert input on lung pathology and radiology is provided by Drs. Robert Homer and Ami Rubinowitz, respectively. A weekly case management conference provides the interdisciplinary interaction necessary for excellence in diagnosis and management of these complex cases. In the short time since it began, the program has become a recognized center of excellence with patients being referred from all over the United States and the world. The center serves as a site for the enrollment of patients in a wide variety of clinical trials and experimental protocols, particularly in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF).

Some of the specific diseases we diagnose and treat include:

• Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)
• Sarcoidosis
• Connective Tissue Disease/Autoimmune Disease Associated ILD (including Rheumatoid Arthritis, Scleroderma, Lupus, Polymyositis/Dermatomyositis)
• Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis
• Bronchiolitis Obliterans Organizing Pneumonia (BOOP)/Cryptogenic Organizing Pneumonia (COP)
• Asbestosis
• Silicosis
• Non-Specific Interstitial Pneumonia (NSIP)
• Respiratory Bronchiolitis-Associated ILD (RB-ILD)
• Desquamative Interstitial Pneumonia (DIP)
• Lymphocytic Interstitial Pneumonia (LIP)
• Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis
• Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM)
• Bronchiolitis
• Eosinophilic pneumonias
• Wegener's granulomatosis

For further information and to schedule an evaluation please call (203) 785-4198.