Idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis: favorable response to corticosteroids.
A 50-year-old Taiwanese woman had a history of massive hemoptysis occurring every 6 months for the past 4 years. After each bout of hemoptysis, chest roentgenography would show diffuse alveolar infiltration of bilateral lungs, which would usually resolve within 7 days. Transbronchial biopsy revealed diffuse alveolar hemorrhage and hemosiderin-laden macrophage infiltration. Idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis was diagnosed by excluding other glomerular, cardiac and immunological disorders. An initial dose of 20 mg prednisolone daily was tapered to 10 mg daily 1 month later. The patient is currently undergoing steroid therapy, and there have been no further episodes of hemoptysis.
Chen
Chung-Hua
CH
Department of Internal Medicine, Hope Doctors Hospital, Miao Li, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Yang
Hsiao-Bai
HB
Chiang
Shyh-Ren
SR
Wang
Po-Chien
PC
D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006469:Hemoptysis / Q000209:etiology; D006486:Hemosiderosis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic; D011239:Prednisolone