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Pneumofibrosis
Last reviewed: 05.07.2025
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Pneumofibrosis is characterized by the proliferation of connective tissue, which begins as a result of various inflammations or degenerative processes.
Usually, pneumofibrosis is a complication after certain diseases, such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, syphilis, and can also be the result of chronic obstructive diseases, occupational diseases that developed due to the entry of industrial gases or aggressive dust into the lungs over a long period, hereditary diseases and after inhalation of toxic substances for military purposes.
The pathology can develop due to ionizing radiation on the lung area, taking certain medications that have a toxic effect on the body.
ICD-10 code
Pneumofibrosis in ICD-10 is in section J80-J84 (lung diseases affecting the interstitial tissue).
The disease belongs to the group of pneumosclerotic diseases, which also includes such diseases as pneumosclerosis and cirrhosis of the lung (each of the pathologies differs in the strength of connective tissue proliferation).
Causes of pneumofibrosis
Pneumofibrosis develops for various reasons. As already mentioned, this pathology does not develop as an independent disease, but is a consequence of the primary inflammation. The most common causes are infections, pneumonia, exposure to toxic substances and other pollutants, chest injuries (especially if the lung is affected), a consequence of tuberculosis, fungal and parasitic diseases, congestion in the lungs.
With pneumofibrosis, the gradual replacement of lung cells with connective tissue begins; the pathology can be provoked by both inflammation in the respiratory organs and the effects of toxic substances that penetrate the lungs when inhaled.
Often, pneumofibrosis occurs as a result of hypoxia of the lung tissue, which leads to the activation of fibroblasts that produce collagen, which becomes the initial stage of connective tissue development.
It is also possible to identify the main causes that provoke pathological processes in the lungs: disruption of the ventilation process of the lungs, the outflow of secretions from the bronchi and blood and lymph flow.
Normally, the lung tissue is elastic, which ensures the normal functioning of the body's respiratory system. The greater the elasticity, the more effort the body makes to stretch the tissue, which leads to high intrapulmonary pressure. The pressure inside the lungs acts on the inner wall of the alveoli and opens it when air is inhaled. When pneumofibrosis begins, most of the alveoli are affected, as a result of which the elasticity in the lungs decreases, and the body requires less force to stretch. In this case, low intrapulmonary pressure does not open all the alveoli and some of them fall out of the general respiratory system, due to which the body receives less oxygen, and the ventilation process of the lungs is disrupted.
Inflammatory processes in the bronchi disrupt the outflow of secretions that accumulate in them, which becomes a favorable environment for the proliferation of pathogenic microflora.
Disruption of blood and lymph flow occurs due to compression of vessels in the lungs, stagnant processes in the vessels adjacent to the lung. Blood stagnation usually occurs due to inflammatory processes, spasms. Connective tissue begins to form at the site of stagnation, which over time replaces the nearby alveoli.
In other words, the development of pneumofibrosis is primarily influenced by the primary disease in the lungs (the site of inflammation), which provokes the replacement of lung tissue with connective tissue.
In each case, depending on the factor that provoked the pathological process, connective tissue develops differently: in case of impaired ventilation of the lungs, the appearance of connective tissue in the lungs becomes the primary cause of pneumofibrosis, in case of congestive processes, it is a consequence.
As the disease progresses, lung tissue falls out of the respiratory system, which leads to the development of respiratory failure and disruption of gas exchange processes between vessels, tissues, and alveoli.
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Symptoms of Pneumofibrosis
Pneumofibrosis manifests itself locally or diffusely. Most often, the diffuse form of the disease is detected, since local lesions of the lung tissue usually do not have pronounced symptoms.
The main symptom indicating a pathological process is shortness of breath, which at the initial stages occurs with physical overexertion. And then it begins to bother even in a calm state.
Often a person begins to be bothered by a strong cough, in which viscous sputum, sometimes with purulent impurities, is released from the bronchi. During a visual examination, signs of cyanosis can be determined, which develops due to hypoxia of the lungs.
Often there is aching pain in the chest, weakness, a person may lose weight for no reason.
In severe cases, coughing causes chest pain.
In advanced stages, wheezing or “friction sound of the cork” can be heard in the lungs.
If complications arise, blood may be released when coughing up phlegm.
In addition to the symptoms of pneumofibrosis, signs of the primary disease that provoked the pathology arise.
Pulmonary fibrosis
Pneumofibrosis of the lungs provokes the growth of connective tissue. The disease, as mentioned, develops due to inflammation or other dystrophic processes, leads to a violation of the elasticity of lung tissue and other pathologies.
Hilar pneumofibrosis
Root pneumofibrosis is characterized by the appearance of compacted areas on the lung tissue. The pathological process can begin due to previous illnesses (bronchitis, pneumonia, etc.), and the disease can develop several years after the main illness.
Diffuse pulmonary pneumofibrosis
Diffuse pneumofibrosis is diagnosed if multiple lesions are detected in the lung tissue; this form of the disease is characterized by damage to the entire lung tissue.
Localized pneumofibrosis
Localized pneumofibrosis is characterized by focal lung damage, when the replacement process occurs in a specific location.
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Focal pneumofibrosis
Focal pneumofibrosis affects isolated areas of lung tissue, i.e. individual lesions are observed on the lung tissue.
Basal pneumofibrosis
The diagnosis of basal pneumofibrosis is made after an X-ray. With this form of the disease, drug therapy is prescribed when there are any inflammatory processes in the lungs and bronchi; in other cases, the doctor may recommend breathing exercises and herbal treatment. With basal pneumofibrosis, the basal (at the base of the lungs) sections are affected.
Limited pneumofibrosis
Limited pneumofibrosis (local) does not greatly affect lung function and does not disrupt gas exchange processes in them.
Linear pneumofibrosis
Linear pneumofibrosis is a consequence of inflammatory diseases such as pneumonia, bronchitis, etc. The pathology can also arise against the background of tuberculosis.
Interstitial pneumofibrosis
Interstitial pneumofibrosis develops as a result of inflammation of blood vessels, capillaries. Usually, with this form of the disease, a person begins to suffer from shortness of breath.
Postpneumonic pneumofibrosis
Postpneumonic pneumofibrosis develops after pneumonia, infections, etc. The development of the pathology begins after the formation of fibrous tissue in large quantities against the background of the inflammatory process in the lungs.
Severe pneumofibrosis
Severe pneumofibrosis develops against the background of chronic inflammatory processes in the lungs, which provoke the proliferation of connective tissue. At a young age, severe pneumofibrosis can occur due to smoking, since cigarette smoke disrupts the function of the bronchi and causes congestion (sputum is retained in the bronchi), especially against the background of inflammation.
Postinflammatory pneumofibrosis
Postinflammatory pneumofibrosis is a consequence of inflammatory processes in the lungs.
Moderate pneumofibrosis
Moderate pneumofibrosis is characterized by small lesions of the lung tissue.
Pneumofibrosis in children
Pneumofibrosis in children develops for the same reasons as in adults. In childhood, it is important to pay attention to pulmonary diseases (bronchitis, pneumonia, etc.), not to neglect the disease and to conduct complete and timely treatment. It is also necessary to limit the child's contact with toxic substances, cigarette smoke, etc.
Diagnosis of pneumofibrosis
Pneumofibrosis is diagnosed based on symptoms and a thorough medical examination.
If pneumofibrosis is suspected, the patient is referred for consultation to a pulmonologist.
The main diagnostic tool for this pathology is X-ray, which will help to establish the sclerotic nature of the change in lung tissue and distinguish pneumofibrosis from a tumor in the lungs.
If necessary, the doctor may prescribe a computed tomography scan, tomography, or x-ray.
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Treatment of pneumofibrosis
Pneumofibrosis currently has no effective treatment methods. If the disease is detected accidentally during a preventive examination and is asymptomatic, then treatment is usually not prescribed.
If local lesions in the lungs are detected after inflammatory or destructive processes, pneumofibrosis develops against the background of regularly occurring infectious processes, then the specialist prescribes antibacterial therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as physiotherapeutic procedures that improve the discharge of sputum.
In pneumofibrosis, diagnostics play an important role, as it helps the doctor determine the need for surgical treatment.
If the disease developed due to aggressive particles (dust, toxic substances, etc.) entering the lungs, then treatment is primarily aimed at eliminating the factor that provokes the disease (i.e., eliminating contact with toxic substances, dust and other pollutants).
If necessary, a specialist can prescribe treatment for respiratory failure, which will alleviate the patient's condition with pneumofibrosis.
Treatment of pneumofibrosis with folk remedies
Pneumofibrosis leads to the formation of scars on the lung tissue (due to the proliferation of connective tissue). Traditional medicine for this pathology will help to remove the symptoms and improve the condition.
First of all, you should quit smoking, do light physical exercise and breathing exercises.
When you are ill, you should not worry and avoid any stressful situations.
Tincture of aloe vera is effective in treating lung diseases.
Wash several large leaves of the plant well, chop finely (or grate), mix with two tablespoons of honey (it is better to take uncandied) and 400-500 ml of red wine (preferably homemade) and mix well until a homogeneous mass is obtained. This remedy should be used immediately (the shelf life in the refrigerator is 2 weeks). You need to take the remedy 1 tablespoon 3-4 times a day before meals (15-20 minutes).
Also, when ill, it is recommended to do a honey massage (if there is no allergy). Every other day, the patient's back should be rubbed with 1-2 teaspoons of honey (it is better to take fresh, not candied) and rubbed for several minutes until the skin begins to stick to the hand.
Treatment of pulmonary fibrosis with pine buds
Treatment with pine buds has long been a well-known method of folk medicine, helping to cope with many lung diseases. The kidneys contain a large number of resinous substances and essential oils, which have a beneficial effect on the respiratory system.
Pine buds have an anti-inflammatory and expectorant effect, destroy pathogenic bacteria. A decoction or tincture of pine buds enhances the secretory function of the epithelium in the respiratory organs, liquefies phlegm and facilitates its removal.
Traditional healers recommend treating pneumofibrosis with a decoction of pine buds:
Pour 10g of buds with 250 ml of water, boil in a water bath for about half an hour, then leave to infuse for 10-15 minutes. Take the strained decoction 1 tbsp. 3-4 times a day after meals.
Prevention of pneumofibrosis
Pneumofibrosis often develops against the background of infectious and inflammatory diseases in the lungs, when inhaling toxic substances and polluted air (dust).
To prevent the disease, you should completely quit smoking, lead an active lifestyle, and promptly identify and treat diseases.
If your job requires you to work with toxic substances, dust and other pollutants, you must adhere to safety precautions and use respirators.
Prognosis of pneumofibrosis
Pneumofibrosis is always a consequence of the underlying disease and the prognosis in this case depends on the severity and complexity of the initial disease. With significant damage to the lung tissue, the lung volume decreases, which leads to respiratory failure and increased pressure in the pulmonary artery. A fatal outcome usually occurs as a result of a new infection or the onset of a tuberculosis process.
Pneumofibrosis disrupts the structure and function of the lungs. Over time, the pathology leads to deformation of the bronchi, a decrease in volume and wrinkling of the lungs. All age categories are susceptible to the disease, most often pneumofibrosis is diagnosed in men.