Follicular Bronchiolitis: A Literature Review

Abstract

Follicular bronchiolitis (FB) also known as hyperplasia of the bronchial associated lymphoid tissue (BALT), or bronchiolar nodular lymphoid hyperplasia, is an entity characterized by the development of lymphoid follicles with germinal centers in the walls of small airways. FB is thought to be caused by antigenic stimulation of BALT, followed by a polyclonal lymphoid hyperplasia. It is currently classified as one of the reactive pulmonary lymphoid disorders in a group known as the lymphoproliferative pulmonary diseases (LPDs). FB is a pathological diagnosis that can be seen in several clinical settings, including connective tissue diseases, immunodeficiency states, autoimmune diseases, infections, obstructive airway diseases, as well as several types of interstitial lung diseases (ILDs). Its characteristics need to be carefully identified and differentiated from other closely related diseases in the group of LPDs due to significant differences in treatment and prognosis.

Keywords

• balt
• lymphoid follicles
• lymphoproliferative pulmonary diseases
• small airways