HRCT findings of amiodarone pulmonary toxicity: clinical and radiologic regression.
Amiodarone is an antiarrhythmic drug that can cause interstitial pneumonitis leading to pulmonary fibrosis. A 62-year-old man suffering from atrial fibrillation and recurrent dyspnea was treated with amiodarone. After 15 months of treatment, HRCT revealed bilateral interstitial and alveolar opacifications with high-attenuating pleural-parenchymal consolidations, suggesting amiodarone induced pneumonitis. Three months after cessation of amiodarone treatment, HRCT shows complete regression of pneumonitis. Amiodarone pneumonitis can be misinterpreted and mistreated in patients with further underlying diseases. The present case report demonstrates the diagnostic value of HRCT in the diagnosis of interstitial pneumonitis.
Poll
L W
LW
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Moorenstrasse 5, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
May
P
P
Koch
J A
JA
Hetzel
G
G
Heering
P
P
Mödder
U
U
D000638:Amiodarone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000638:Amiodarone