[Lymphatics in non-tumoral pulmonary diseases. Review]

Whereas lymphatics in pulmonary non-tumoral diseases have been less studied than blood microcirculation, they clearly play a significant role. This review is a short update on lymphatics in various non-tumoral pulmonary diseases, from asthma to interstitial pneumonitis, excluding lymphangioleiomyomatosis. A lymphatic remodelling has been evidenced in asthma as well as in acute or chronic (UIP as NSIP) interstitial lung diseases. Such a remodelling can be explained as a side effect of local changes in fluidics but could also be an active player in the fibrosing process. Moreover the association of juxta-alveloar lymphatics and granulomas provides new insights in the emergence of these lesions in pulmonary sarcoidosis.