[A case of adult onset idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis markedly improved by steroid therapy]

Nihon Kokyuki Gakkai Zasshi. 2007 Dec;45(12):971-6.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

A case of adult onset idiopathic pulmonary haemosiderosis (IPH) was reported. A 53-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of repeated bloody sputum on June 2, 2006. Chest radiograph on admission disclosed diffuse infiltrative shadows in both lung fields, and one month later these shadows became more marked. The chest CT on July 5, 2006 showed patchy areas of ground-glass opacity and consolidation, exhibiting a distinctly peripheral distribution. Bronchoscopic findings revealed oozing bleeding from the orifice of B5 in the right lung and B9 in the left lung. We employed video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for lung biopsy and he as primary IPH was diagnosed clinicopathologically. His symptoms and radiographic findings were markedly improved after steroid therapy, followed by no signs of recurrence. It may be important to establish a definitive diagnosis early, even in IPH, using VATS, for further effective therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use*
  • Hemosiderosis / drug therapy*
  • Hemosiderosis / pathology
  • Humans
  • Lung Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Lung Diseases / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prednisolone / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Prednisolone