[Key features in the management of diffuse interstitial pulmonary disease].

Diffuse interstitial lung disease is a heterogeneous group of diseases in which the common denominator is involvement of the area between the basement membrane of the alveolar epithelium and the capillary endothelium, known as the interstitial space. Diffuse interstitial lung disease poses a tremendous challenge to the clinician due to the diagnostic approach, the complications that can appear in the natural history of these entities, and the scarcity of available therapeutic resources. This brief review discusses key features of the management of diffuse interstitial pulmonary disease, such as prognostic factors, the therapeutic options -including the role of lung transplantation- and the diagnosis and treatment of two complications with crucial impact on the clinical course of the disease: exacerbations and associated pulmonary hypertension.