Lung transplantation for rare pulmonary diseases

Abstract

Emphysema, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and cystic fibrosis are the major indications for lung transplantation. This article will present an overview of lung transplantation in the context of rare pulmonary diseases, in particular pulmonary sarcoidosis, lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), and pulmonary Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis X (LCH). It will present criteria used in deciding when a patient should be referred and will discuss medical management in the context of lung transplantation.