Diffuse Idiopathic Pulmonary Neuroendocrine Cell Hyperplasia

#30

Introduction: Normal adult lungs contain scattered pulmonary neuroendocrine cells (PNEC). Reactive PNEC hyperplasia is commonly observed in persons who live at high altitude, in cigarette smokers, and in numerous lung diseases. Diffuse Idiopathic Pulmonary Neuroendocrine Cell Hyperplasia (DIPNECH) is a rare entity in which PNEC hyperplasia appears without predisposing conditions. According to the 1999 WHO lung tumor classification, DIPNECH is thought to be primarily a neuroendocrine proliferative process, which can be associated with carcinoid tumors and with a clinical picture of constrictive obliterative bronchiolitis. To date, available data regarding the treatment and the prognosis of this rare condition is limited.

Aim(s): To describe clinico-pathological and radiological characteristics of patients with DIPNECH, and the effect of different therapeutic modalities on disease progression and patient well-being.

Materials and methods: A retrospective study of nine consecutive patients with DIPNECH followed at two referral centres in Israel between 2001 and 2009. Clinical, biochemical, pathological and imaging data were collected from the medical files.

Conference: 7th Annual ENETSConcerence (2010)

Presenting Author: Grozinsky-Glasberg S

Authors: Gorshtein A, Barak D, Shimon I, Gross D, Grozinsky-Glasberg S,

Keywords: DIPNECH, neuroendocrine, hyperplasia, somatostatin analogues,