Idiopathic interstitial pneumonia

Overview
Idiopathic interstitial pneumonia is a term used to describe a form of diffuse lung disease; diffuse lung disease is also known as interstitial lung disease.

Idiopathic interstitial pneumonia can be subclassified based on histologic appearance into the following patterns:


 * Desquamative interstitial pneumonia (DIP)
 * Diffuse alveolar damage
 * Lymphoid interstitial pneumonia (LIP)
 * Nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP)
 * Respiratory bronchiolitis
 * Usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP)
 * Organizing pneumonia

Pneumonia misnomer?
The definition of "pneumonia" is often described as a '... lung inflammation caused by a virus, bacteria or irritant.'

Etymologically, the usage of "pneumonia" in idiopathic interstitial pneumonia is correct; the word "pneumonia" is derived from "pneumon" (lung) and the suffix "-ia" (condition).