[A case of sarcoidosis acutely aggravated with high fever and diffuse interstitial pulmonary infiltrates].

Abstract

We present a case of sarcoidosis acutely aggravated with high fever and diffuse interstitial pulmonary infiltrates in a female patient at the age of 64. Sarcoidosis was diagnosed in another hospital as a result of iritis, chest radiography findings, and a negative reaction in a tuberculin skin test. She was admitted to our hospital because of dyspnea and a high temperature of 39 degrees C in February 1994. A marked hypoxemia (PaO2 46.5 torr) was found in arterial blood gas analysis. Chest radiography revealed a bilateral diffuse reticulo-nodular shadows, and chest CT showed ground glass opacity predominant posteriorly. Analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid revealed an increase in lymphocytes and an increased ratio of CD4 to CD8 T lymphocyte. Transbronchial lung biopsy revealed lymphocytic alveolitis and proliferation of epithelioid cell granulomas in the alveolar septa and intraalveolar spaces. The patient was treated for deterioration of sarcoidosis with 40 mg of prednisolone and her respiratory status and the radiographic findings improved rapidly. With dose tapering of prednisolone, dyspnea and deterioration of the radiographic findings occurred, but with addition of a weekly low dose of methotrexate, dose reduction of prednisolone was achieved.

• Authors: T Yanagawa, J Okada, A Mochida, T Andoh, S Ikushima, M Oritsu, O Akiyama, T Takemura
• Journal: Nihon Kokyuki Gakkai zasshi = the journal of the Japanese Respiratory Society (Nihon Kokyuki Gakkai Zasshi) Vol. 39 Issue 5 Pg. 377-82 (May 2001) ISSN: 1343-3490 [Print] Japan
• PMID: 11510104 (Publication Type: Case Reports, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Prednisolone
• Methotrexate

Topics

• Acute-Phase Reaction
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Female
• Fever (drug therapy, etiology)
• Humans
• Lung Diseases, Interstitial (drug therapy, etiology)
• Methotrexate (administration & dosage)
• Middle Aged
• Prednisolone (administration & dosage)
• Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary (complications, drug therapy)
• Treatment Outcome