Cryptogenic bilateral fibrosing XXXX .

@entity1 @entity1143 @entity662 @entity5641 @entity288 @entity911 @entity1355 @entity456
We describe four @entity1 with bilateral @entity1143 progressing to diffuse @entity456 for which we have been unable to find any evidence of an infective, embolic or occupational aetiology. In order to avoid @entity911 with diffuse @entity456 attributable to @entity1355 -related disease, the term cryptogenic bilateral fibrosing @entity5641 is suggested. The @entity1 differed from those with @entity456 due to @entity1355 in that none of them gave a history of @entity1355 exposure, all were ill, presented with @entity662 which was not always pleuritic in character, and had dyspnoea, cough or malaise. They had @entity1143 of variable size, @entity456 radiographically and raised sedimentation rates. Computed tomography revealed bilateral extensive @entity456 in all cases. All four were HLA B44 positive. Histology showed that in all cases the pleura was thickened by fibrous tissue. Both layers were affected and the pleural space was often obliterated. Otherwise the pleural surface was covered by organizing fibrin. Focal collections of lymphocytes were often present when the fibrous tissue abutted on the subpleural fat. No @entity1355 bodies were seen in any of the cases and in one @entity1 electron microscopic fibre counts showed no excess of @entity1355 . Pleural decortication was successful in three @entity1 . In one of these, contralateral disease was successfully controlled with corticosteroids, but the fourth @entity1 has not improved on @entity288 .
