Restrictive Pulmonary Disease (PEARLS): Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis,
Pneumoconiosis, Sarcoidosis Questions with Verified Answers
1. What is idiopathic pul- Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a type of lung disease that results
monary fibrosis (IPF)? in scarring (fibrosis) of the lungs for an unknown reason. In order to
be considered "idiopathic", you must be sure to rule out other common
causes such as drugs, and environmental or occupational exposures.
2. What are risk fac- Risk factors for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis include old age, being male
tors for idiopathic pul- and tobacco use
monary fibrosis?
3. What are the common In order to be considered "idiopathic", you must rule out other common
"non-idiopathic" caus- causes such as drugs (amiodarone), and environmental or occupational
es of pulmonary fi- exposures
brosis which must be Non-idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis includes smoking, viral infections, envi-
ruled out? ronmental (silica, hard metal dust), medication, genetics, XRT, GERD
4. Signs and symptoms - Exertional dyspnea
of IPF? - Non-productive cough
- Crackles
- Digital clubbing
5. Diagnosis of IPF? High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) + PFTs (if still unclear, can
undergo bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage)
6. What is seen on PFTs in PFTs will demonstrate a restrictive pattern - opposite of what you would see
patients with IPF? with asthma = Decreased lung volume with a normal to increased FEV1/FVC
ratio.
7. What is seen on chest Dittuse patchy fibrosis with pleural based honeycombing
CT of patients with
IPF?
1/8
, Restrictive Pulmonary Disease (PEARLS): Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis,
Pneumoconiosis, Sarcoidosis Questions with Verified Answers
8. What is the treat- Treatment includes the judicial use of corticosteroids, O2, and eventually
ment for idiopath- lung transplant
ic pulmonary fibrosis
(IPF)?
9. What is pneumoconio- An exotic sounding word that means accumulation of dust within lungs. It
sis? is characterized by inflammation, coughing, and fibrosis.
10. What are the 4 primary The primary pneumoconioses are asbestosis, silicosis, berylliosis, and coal
pneumoconioses? workers' pneumoconiosis (commonly referred to as CWP or black lung).
11. Berylliosis? Berylliosis is a form of metal poisoning caused by inhalation of beryllium
dusts, vapors, or its compounds or implantation of the substance in the
skin.
12. Silicosis? Silicosis is a long-term lung disease caused by inhaling large amounts of
crystalline silica dust, usually over many years. Silica is a substance naturally
found in certain types of stone, rock, sand, and clay.
13. Asbestosis? Asbestosis is a serious lung condition caused by long-term exposure to
asbestos. Asbestos is a fiber-like material that was once used in buildings
for insulation, flooring, and roofing.
14. Coal workers' pneu- Coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP), commonly known as "black lung
moconiosis (CWP)? disease," occurs when coal dust is inhaled. Over time, continued exposure
to the coal dust causes scarring in the lungs, impairing your ability to
breathe. Considered an occupational lung disease, it is most common
among coal miners.
15. *Linear* opacities at Asbestosis
*bases* and *pleural
plaques*
2/8
Pneumoconiosis, Sarcoidosis Questions with Verified Answers
1. What is idiopathic pul- Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a type of lung disease that results
monary fibrosis (IPF)? in scarring (fibrosis) of the lungs for an unknown reason. In order to
be considered "idiopathic", you must be sure to rule out other common
causes such as drugs, and environmental or occupational exposures.
2. What are risk fac- Risk factors for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis include old age, being male
tors for idiopathic pul- and tobacco use
monary fibrosis?
3. What are the common In order to be considered "idiopathic", you must rule out other common
"non-idiopathic" caus- causes such as drugs (amiodarone), and environmental or occupational
es of pulmonary fi- exposures
brosis which must be Non-idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis includes smoking, viral infections, envi-
ruled out? ronmental (silica, hard metal dust), medication, genetics, XRT, GERD
4. Signs and symptoms - Exertional dyspnea
of IPF? - Non-productive cough
- Crackles
- Digital clubbing
5. Diagnosis of IPF? High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) + PFTs (if still unclear, can
undergo bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage)
6. What is seen on PFTs in PFTs will demonstrate a restrictive pattern - opposite of what you would see
patients with IPF? with asthma = Decreased lung volume with a normal to increased FEV1/FVC
ratio.
7. What is seen on chest Dittuse patchy fibrosis with pleural based honeycombing
CT of patients with
IPF?
1/8
, Restrictive Pulmonary Disease (PEARLS): Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis,
Pneumoconiosis, Sarcoidosis Questions with Verified Answers
8. What is the treat- Treatment includes the judicial use of corticosteroids, O2, and eventually
ment for idiopath- lung transplant
ic pulmonary fibrosis
(IPF)?
9. What is pneumoconio- An exotic sounding word that means accumulation of dust within lungs. It
sis? is characterized by inflammation, coughing, and fibrosis.
10. What are the 4 primary The primary pneumoconioses are asbestosis, silicosis, berylliosis, and coal
pneumoconioses? workers' pneumoconiosis (commonly referred to as CWP or black lung).
11. Berylliosis? Berylliosis is a form of metal poisoning caused by inhalation of beryllium
dusts, vapors, or its compounds or implantation of the substance in the
skin.
12. Silicosis? Silicosis is a long-term lung disease caused by inhaling large amounts of
crystalline silica dust, usually over many years. Silica is a substance naturally
found in certain types of stone, rock, sand, and clay.
13. Asbestosis? Asbestosis is a serious lung condition caused by long-term exposure to
asbestos. Asbestos is a fiber-like material that was once used in buildings
for insulation, flooring, and roofing.
14. Coal workers' pneu- Coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP), commonly known as "black lung
moconiosis (CWP)? disease," occurs when coal dust is inhaled. Over time, continued exposure
to the coal dust causes scarring in the lungs, impairing your ability to
breathe. Considered an occupational lung disease, it is most common
among coal miners.
15. *Linear* opacities at Asbestosis
*bases* and *pleural
plaques*
2/8
