Smoke-related interstitial fibrosis – a case report

Abstract

Smoking-related interstitial fibrosis (SRIF) is a recently described disease which is common finding in a long-term cigarette smokers.Aim. To acquaint readers with relatively unknown interstitial disease. We describe a case of a smoking patient with a long smoking history and squamous cell carcinomas of the larynx and lung who complained of an unproductive cough, sore throat, hoarseness, difficulty in nasal breathing, and shortness of breath during exercise. Obstructive disorders, lung hyperinflation, and a severe decrease in diffusion capacity reflected the signs of severe emphysema in combination with fibrotic changes found by high resolution computed tomography (CT). X-ray picture and characteristic histological changes made it possible to diagnose SRIF.Conclusion. Diagnostics of the disease should be based on CT-signs, histologic picture and functional data. The prognosis is relatively favorable.