ABSTRACT
L u n g B io p sy The diagnosis of IPF (and many other DPLDs) generally requires open or thoracoscopic lung biopsy, since tissue obtained by transbronchial biopsy is usually insufficient. Lung biopsy is not indicated in the presence of extensive honeycombing on radiographic studies. The gross morphological findings in IPF range from a normal appearance in early cases to diffuse honeycombing in the later stages of the disease process, in the later stages of the disease process. Disease involvement is usually heterogeneous and worse in the lower lobes. Areas of mildly involved or even normal pulmonary parenchyma may be inter spersed throughout a background of extensive fibrosis and honeycombing.
