Successful use of intravenous cyclophosphamide pulse therapy for interstitial lung disease in a patient with systemic sclerosis on hemodialysis

Abstract

Interstitial lung disease and scleroderma renal crisis are major complications of systemic sclerosis, which occasionally coexist in patients with the diffuse cutaneous subtype. We herein report a case of diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis under hemodialysis due to a previous history of scleroderma renal crisis, whose interstitial lung disease was effectively and safely treated with a half dose of i.v. cyclophosphamide pulse. The dose of cyclophosphamide and the timing of hemodialysis leading to efficacy and low toxicity are discussed.

Keywords: hemodialysis; interstitial lung disease; intravenous cyclophosphamide pulse; scleroderma renal crisis; systemic sclerosis.