[Interstitial pneumonia with Sjögren's syndrome: successful treatment with steroids and an immunosuppressant]

Nihon Kyobu Shikkan Gakkai Zasshi. 1997 Mar;35(3):317-21.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

A 44-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital complaining of dyspnea. A chest X-ray film obtained on admission showed bilaterally shrunken lungs, and peripheral bundle-like and linear shadows. A chest CT scan revealed marked thickening of bronchovascular bundles and low lung volumes. Mild dryness of the mouth, and the results of a Rose-Bengal test, Schirmer test, and sialography led to the diagnosis of primary Sjögren's syndrome. Corticosteroid pulse therapy was followed by slight improvement. To determine the pathological diagnosis and to plan further therapy, video-assisted thoracoscopic lung biopsy was done. Examination of the biopsy specimen revealed alveolitis and infiltration of lymphocytes, which suggested active interstitial pneumonia. Therapy with corticosteroids and the immunosuppressant azathioprine was followed by marked improvement.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Azathioprine / administration & dosage*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Dyspnea / etiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / complications
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / therapy*
  • Methylprednisolone / administration & dosage*
  • Pneumonectomy
  • Prednisolone / administration & dosage*
  • Sjogren's Syndrome / complications
  • Sjogren's Syndrome / therapy*

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Prednisolone
  • Azathioprine
  • Methylprednisolone