Which condition is characterized by a "honeycomb" appearance of the lung?

The condition characterized by a "honeycomb" appearance of the lung is idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. This distinctive pattern typically arises in the advanced stages of the disease, reflecting a process of progressive lung scarring (fibrosis). The term "honeycombing" describes the presence of cystic spaces surrounded by thickened septa, which result from the remodeling of lung tissue due to chronic inflammation and injury.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a type of interstitial lung disease where the cause is unknown, and it primarily affects the interstitium, the tissue that supports the air sacs in the lungs. Over time, as fibrosis develops, the lung tissue becomes stiff and less able to transfer oxygen, leading to significant respiratory symptoms.

While other conditions like asbestosis and interstitial lung disease also involve fibrotic changes in the lungs, they do not specifically exhibit the classic honeycomb change as clearly as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis does. COPD typically presents with different radiographic findings, primarily related to air trapping and lung hyperinflation, rather than the honeycombing seen in fibrosis.