Investigating cystic lung disease: a respiratory detective approach

The cystic lung diseases are rare orphan lung disorders that most physicians will see infrequently in their everyday practice. Diagnostic and treatment options have improved over recent decades, with opportunities for slowing rate of progression and improving outcome for patients. This review provides a summary of the clinical approach to these lung disorders, including how to differentiate between different imaging patterns, clinical features, differential diagnosis and characteristics of the commonest presenting disorders. EDUCATIONAL AIMS: To understand the clinical, pathological and radiological features of cystic lung disorders. To explore the differential diagnosis of cystic lung disease. To be familiar with the key features (clinical, radiological, physiological and pathological) of the commoner cystic lung diseases, which assist in differentiating between these.