Idiopathic pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis - A rare idiopathic interstitial pneumonia

Overcoming the challenges of a misdiagnosed rare lung disease - Idiopathic pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis

Pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (PPFE) is a rare condition characterized by pleural and subpleural lung fibroelastosis with an upper lobe predominance. We present the third case of idiopathic pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (IPPFE) from India, as well as the second antemortem diagnosis. A 27-year-old man presented with a one-year history of mMRC class II dry cough and shortness of breath. He described a fifteen-kilogram weight loss. After a clinico-radiological diagnosis, he was given anti-tubercular treatment and referred because he showed no improvement. A high-resolution computed tomography of the chest revealed bilateral upper lobe bullae, parenchymal and subpleural fibrosis, and irregular pleural thickening. PPFE was found in surgical lung and pleural biopsies. He was given systemic glucocorticoids but did not respond clinically or radiologically. Pirfenidone and a lung transplant were out of reach for him. He died nine months after being diagnosed with his condition. Finally, IPPFE is an extremely rare entity, with only three cases reported from our subcontinent. As a result, it is easily underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed; clinician awareness of this condition is critical for better diagnosis and management.

Various Bronchiolar Lesions Accompanied by Idiopathic Pleuroparenchymal Fibroelastosis with a Usual Interstitial Pneumonia Pattern Demonstrating Acute Exacerbation

A 63-year-old man presented with persistent cough and progressive dyspnea. Computed tomography showed irregular pleural thickening and fibrotic changes with volume loss in the upper lobes, and subtle reticulation in the lower lobes. Pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (PPFE) was diagnosed based on the findings of a surgical lung biopsy. Bronchiolar lesions, including proliferative bronchiolitis, constrictive bronchiolitis obliterans, and peribronchiolar metaplasia were evident on pathology. A usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) pattern was also observed in the lower lobes. Three weeks after the biopsy, an acute exacerbation occurred. We herein describe a rare case of idiopathic PPFE with various bronchiolar lesions and a UIP pattern in which an acute exacerbation developed.

Idiopathic pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis: The first case to be managed with a successful lung transplant at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh

Idiopathic Pleuro-Parenchymal Fibroelsatosis (PPFE) is a rare, progressive and recently recognized subtype of idiopathic interstitial lung disease with no recorded successful treatment other than lung transplant. We report a case of idiopathic pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis from the Middle East, managed successfully by bilateral lung transplant performed on a 26 year old Saudi male.