抄録
One hundred and thirty-seven cases in the Tokai district in which cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis was suspect ed were analyzed. Twenty three of them were diagnosed as definite cases, 43 as probable cases, 6 as possible cases and 65 were excluded.
Middle- or old-aged men were frequent in the definite group. A history of exposure to air pollutants was proved in 30% of difinite cases. Almost all cases displayed dyspnea, dry cough and “velcro” rales, restrictive pulmonary function loss and hypoxemia, as well as diffuse nodular shadows, multiple ring like shadows and/or signs of lung shrinkage in chest roentgenogram. High serum LDH levels were recognized rather frequently as were posi tive RA test s and γ-globulinemia.
Large doses of corticosteroid hormone seemed to be initially effective, but the outcome was usually fatal.
The majority of excluded cases were diagnosed as diffuse panbronchiolitis, bronchiectasis, chronic pulmonary infection, granulomatous pneumonitis or collagenic lung. Differential diagnosis between these cases and definite cases was discussed.
