biostudies-literatureArenas-Jimenez JJUniversidad Miguel Hernández196https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12443667biostudies-literatureUnknown16(1)Due to destructive, fibrotic, and remodeling mechanisms, we can find a varied constellation of aerated and cystic lung lesions in smoker patients with interstitial lung disease that pose a diagnostic challenge for both radiologists and pathologists. Radiologic terminology used for cystic lung lesions in smokers is varied and sometimes confusing, and the same applies to their pathologic correlation, with different names for similar findings. Moreover, there is substantial overlap among different cystic lesions in both radiology and pathology. Ultimately, the diagnosis of a given type of cyst may lead to a wrong diagnosis with important clinical implications. In this setting, the goals of this article are to present a diagnostic approach to these lesions by correlating radiologic findings wiInsights into imagingUnderstanding cystic lung lesions in smokers with interstitial lung disease: radiologic-pathological correlation.PMC12443667Resolución Rectoral 00686/2025Aranda IArenas-Jimenez JJFerrandez-Ferrandez DAlenda CShalygina SGarcia-Garrigos EfalseUnderstanding cystic lung lesions in smokers with interstitial lung disease: radiologic-pathological correlation.Due to destructive, fibrotic, and remodeling mechanisms, we can find a varied constellation of aerated and cystic lung lesions in smoker patients with interstitial lung disease that pose a diagnostic challenge for both radiologists and pathologists. Radiologic terminology used for cystic lung lesions in smokers is varied and sometimes confusing, and the same applies to their pathologic correlation, with different names for similar findings. Moreover, there is substantial overlap among different cystic lesions in both radiology and pathology. Ultimately, the diagnosis of a given type of cyst may lead to a wrong diagnosis with important clinical implications. In this setting, the goals of this article are to present a diagnostic approach to these lesions by correlating radiologic findings wi2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Sep2026-06-03T11:21:40.111Z2026-05-29T03:06:11.003ZS-EPMC124436674096300710.1186/s13244-025-02074-7