Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma presenting as an acute noninfectious pneumonitis

Chest. 1992 Jun;101(6):1715-6. doi: 10.1378/chest.101.6.1715.

Abstract

A 29-year-old man presented with a four-week history of pneumonic symptoms and progressive roentenographic infiltrates which were unresponsive to orally administered antibiotics. Bronchoscopy failed to identify an infectious etiology, but abundant atypical lymphocytes in the bronchial washings were present. A diagnosis of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma was subsequently made. After administration of cancer chemotherapy, the pneumonic symptoms and chest roentgenogram infiltrates resolved. This report suggests that ATL can present as an acute noninfectious pneumonitis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adult
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Leukemia-Lymphoma, Adult T-Cell / diagnostic imaging*
  • Leukemia-Lymphoma, Adult T-Cell / drug therapy
  • Lung / diagnostic imaging
  • Male
  • Pneumonia / diagnostic imaging*
  • Radiography