Respiratory Bronchiolitis Causing Interstitial Lung Disease

We describe 6 patients with chronic interstitial lung disease in whom open lung biopsies showed respiratory bronchiolitis. The patients ranged from 28 to 46 yr of age (mean, 36 yr) and included 5 men and 1 woman. All were heavy cigarette smokers. Five had respiratory symptoms, most commonly cough and dyspnea. Diffuse interstitial infiltrates were seen on chest radiographs in 5 and bibasilar atelectasis in 1. Pulmonary function tests showed mild...