Late relapse of desquamative interstitial pneumonia.

Late relapse in desquamative interstitial pneumonia (DIP) is poorly documented. We describe 2 cases of relapse after 7 and 12 yr of therapeutic remission. Lung biopsies taken initially and at the time of relapse showed very similar appearances on both occasions, with little increase in fibrosis in the second sample. Patients with DIP in remission should be followed indefinitely.