Objective : To study the benefits of steroid therapy in interstitial alveolitis. Method and Materials : One hundred five adult clinic patients were studied with clinical evaluation, chest radiography, CT scan, bronchoscopic lavage, pulmonary function studies and a regular follow up. They were put on daily prednisolone (in 19 on intravenous methyl prednisolone), for several months. Results: Only a few had no cough or dypnoea; 91 cases had atleast gr. III exertional breathlessness; 61(58%) had been given steroids earlier and 32(31%) were on a prior antitubercular treatment. Only 16% had GERD symptoms. On radiography, interstitial deposits were seen in 102 cases. While 53 cases belonged to idiopathic variety, 41 were sarcoidosis. A majority had poor lung function with a restrictive disability; but 50% showed a significant response (10%+) to bronchodilators. On follow up in 92 cases, 14 died, 8 went in remission; 32 had a fluctuating course. At some stage 66 had showed improvement. Conclusion : A large majority of our interstitial alveolitis cases are very disabled. They show clinical, functional, and radiographic improvement to long term oral prednisolone. In nonresponsive cases, intravenous steroids show an objective response.

The objective of present study was to evaluate the efficacy of pleural fluid alkaline phosphatase and its ratio to serum levels to classify pleural fluids. A total of 80 patients were divided in transudates and exudates on the basis of extensive clinical, radiological and biochemical evaluation. The efficacy of pleural fluid alkaline phosphatase (P ALP) and pleural fluid / serum alkaline phosphatase ratio (P/S ALP) assessment along with that of Light's criteria to accurately classify transudates and exudates were analyzed. Up to 89% transudates misclassified by Light's criteria were correctly classified by pleural fluid alkaline phosphatase (P ALP) and pleural fluid/serum alkaline phosphatase ratio (P/S ALP) evaluation. Similarly 92% exudates misclassified by Light's criteria were correctly classified by pleural fluid alkaline phosphatase (P ALP) and pleural fluid/serum alkaline phosphatase ratio (P/S ALP) evaluation. By applying a cut off value of 40.0 IU for P ALP, a sensitivity of 85% and specificity of 75% was found. For P/S ALP, applying a cut off value of 0.25 a sensitivity of 85% and specificity of 80% was found. Both P ALP and P/S ALP had a PPV of 92%. However, their respective NPV were 63% and 70%.