The aspect of reticular fibers is not considered in the current
classifications of lung fibrosis. The aim of our study was to evaluate the
distribution and the architecture of the reticular fibers for potential use
as a tissue marker of fibrosis severity. We included in our study 25
pulmonary samples obtained by video-assisted thoracoscopy surgery (VATS) from
a number of 20 cases. The cases were subdivided according to four criteria
into: degree II, III and IV. We noticed no significant changes in the
reticular network from interalveolar septa to the cases scored with 0, an
accumulation of reticular fibers in the interalveolar septa (stage II), the
condensation and thick bundles with network disorganization in all areas
affected by fibrosis (stage III), partial to full depletion of reticular
fibers (stage IV). Depletion of reticular fibers was constantly associated
with advanced fibrosis stages.