Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia, Bronchoalveolar

Abstract. – The presence of peripheral eosinophilia with lung infiltrates poses a diag-nostic challenge for the clinician. The differen-tial diagnosis includes a wide spectrum of dis-eases. In some of them (for example vasculitis, lymphoma) eosinophilic pneumonia represents just another “symptom ” and not the final diag-nosis. A thorough diagnostic procedure is re-quired to examine all related clinical entities in order to establish a firm diagnosis. In particular, Idiopathic Chronic Eosinophilic Pneumonia (ICEP) is a rare disorder. In the majority of cas-es, it is characterized by peripheral eosinophilia, lung infiltrates, bronchoalveolar lavage eosinophilia (above 25%), exclusion of other possible causes and last but not least an im-pressive improvement under steroid therapy. Relapses are common but they do not seem to be related with ICEP associated mortality