Infection is the main complication. The cause of the disturbance in surfactant turnover is unknown. The most consistently associated potential agents are dusts and fumes. The alveoli are filled with eosinophilic, proteinaceous material that closely resembles surfactant and shows a positive reaction on PAS staining. The alveolar septa are usually normal or slightly thickened.
Interstitial fibrosis is uncommon.
There are often areas of course recticulation. CT shows a panlobular distribution of increased alveolar density with a reticular pattern. All rights reserved.