Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is a diffuse parenchymal lung disease (DLPD) characterized by complex interstitial lung damage with polymorphic and protean inflammatory aspects affecting lung tissue targets including small airways, the interstitium, alveolar compartments and vascular structures. HP shares clinical and often radiological features with other lung diseases in acute or chronic forms. In its natural temporal evolution, if specific therapy is not initiated promptly, HP leads to progressive fibrotic damage with reduced lung volumes and impaired gas exchange. The prevalence of HP varies considerably worldwide, influenced by factors like imprecise disease classification, diagnostic method limitations for obtaining a confident diagnosis, diagnostic limitations in the correct processing of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) radiological parameters, unreliable medical history, diverse geographical conditions, heterogeneous agricultural and industrial practices and occasionally ineffective individual protections regarding occupational exposures and host risk factors. The aim of this review is to present an accurate and detailed 360-degree analysis of HP considering HRCT patterns and the role of the broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL), without neglecting biopsy and anatomopathological aspects and future technological developments that could make the diagnosis of this disease less challenging.
Keywords: BAL; HRCT; IIP; ILD; IPF; artificial intelligence; high-resolution computed tomography; hypersensitivity pneumonitis; idiopathic interstitial pneumonia; idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.