A previously well 53-year-old man develops progressive shortness of breath. Pulmonary function tests reveal a restrictive defect and a high-resolution CT suggests pulmonary fibrosis. Which of the following is the most likely role of transbronchial biopsy in this condition?
Transbronchial biopsy helps differentiate idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) from similar syndromes with specific treatments. These include chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis, cryptogenic organizing pneumonia, and sarcoidosis.
assess disease severity
assess possible bronchiolar narrowing
diagnose specific causes of interstitial lung disease
determine degree of inflammation
Respiratory