Pulmonary biopsy in interstitial pneumopathies

1119 pulmonary biopsies (two thirds open) have been performed in 108 patients with signs of diffuse interstitial disease of the lung. The results showed 29 cases of fibrosing alveolitis, 4 of granulomatous alveolitis, 8 of diffuse interstitial fibrosis, 12 of eosinophilic granuloma, 12 of pneumoconiosis, 16 of sarcoidosis, and 38 with other pulmonary lesions. Biopsy via thoracotomy is the best diagnostic technique, with a 97.4% yield; with transparietal biopsies the yield is 81% and with transbronchial biopsies 60%. Histology permits exact diagnosis in all pneumopathies except fibrosing alveolitis. In this case the pathologist guides the clinician's investigations towards a search for an allergic etiology.