Idiopathic Pulmonary Hemosiderosis synonyms

Idiopathic Pulmonary Hemosiderosis Synonyms

Idiopathic Pulmonary Hemosiderosis (IPH) is a rare and potentially life-threatening condition characterized by recurrent episodes of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage, leading to the accumulation of iron-rich pigment called hemosiderin in the lungs. While IPH is the commonly used term to describe this condition, there are several synonyms that are used interchangeably:

• Essential Hemosiderosis: This term emphasizes the primary nature of the disease, indicating that it occurs without any known cause or underlying condition.


• Recurrent Pulmonary Hemorrhage: This synonym highlights the hallmark feature of IPH, which is the repeated episodes of bleeding into the lungs.


• Pulmonary Hemosiderosis: This term specifically refers to the accumulation of hemosiderin in the lungs, which is the characteristic finding in IPH.


• Primary Pulmonary Hemosiderosis: This synonym emphasizes the idiopathic nature of the disease, indicating that it is not secondary to any other underlying condition.


• Hamman-Rich Syndrome: This eponymous term is used to honor the physicians who first described the disease in the 1930s, Louis Hamman and Arnold Rich. It is less commonly used today but may still be encountered in medical literature.

These synonyms are used to describe the same condition, idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis, which is characterized by recurrent episodes of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage and the subsequent accumulation of hemosiderin in the lungs. It is important to note that IPH is a rare and serious condition that primarily affects children, but can also occur in adults. The exact cause of IPH remains unknown, and the diagnosis is often made after excluding other potential causes of pulmonary hemorrhage.