PMID: 8976088Nov 1, 1996Paper

Fulminant interstitial pneumonia associated with polyarteritis nodosa

Nihon Kyōbu Shikkan Gakkai zasshi
M IdaA Satou

Abstract

A 54-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of fever, abdominal pain, hematemesis, and dyspnea on exertion. Laboratory examination on admission revealed elevations of WBC count and CRP. a low serum complement level, hypoxemia, and microhematuria. A chest X-ray film and a CT scan showed bilateral interstitial pneumonia and cardiomegaly. Angiography showed microaneurysms in peripheral branches of the superior mesenteric artery, the hepatic artery, and the right renal artery. Examination of a specimen of the right quadriceps muscle revealed arteritis with fibrinoid necrosis in a small artery, which was consistent with polyarteritis nodosa (PN). A specimen obtained by transbronchial lung biopsy before treatment showed interstitial mononuclear cell infiltration and edema. PN with interstitial pneumonia was diagnosed and the patient was treated with 1 g of methylprednisolone for 3 days, followed by 60 mg of prednisolone and 100 mg of cyclophosphamide daily. The interstitial pneumonia progressed. Despite a second trial of steroid pulse therapy in addition to mechanical ventilation and various kinds of antibiotics, the patient died of respiratory failure on the 35th hospital day. A specimen obtained by transbronchial lung bi...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Antifungals (ASM)

An antifungal, also known as an antimycotic medication, is a pharmaceutical fungicide or fungistatic used to treat and prevent mycosis such as athlete's foot, ringworm, candidiasis, cryptococcal meningitis, and others. Discover the latest research on antifungals here.

Cardiomegaly

Cardiomegaly, known as an enlarged heart, is a multifactorial disease with different pathophysiological mechanisms. Hypertension, pregnancy, exercise-induced and idiopathic causes are some mechanisms of cardiomegaly. Discover the latest research of cardiomegaly here.

Antifungals

An antifungal, also known as an antimycotic medication, is a pharmaceutical fungicide or fungistatic used to treat and prevent mycosis such as athlete's foot, ringworm, candidiasis, cryptococcal meningitis, and others. Discover the latest research on antifungals here.