title: [Radiation pneumonitis: a rare and potentially severe pneumonia. Usefulness of corticosteroids].
abstract: We report a 80-year-old woman who presented with asthenia, confusion and abdominal pain, leading to a diagnosis of severe pneumonia complicated by a colonic pseudo-obstruction. The unfavourable outcome with antibiotic treatment and a recent past medical history of thoracic radiotherapy pointed to a possible diagnosis of radiation pneumonitis. Absence of other explanation and the rapid improvement with corticosteroids confirmed this rare and potentially serious diagnosis, especially among elderly people.
authors.affiliation: Unité de médecine interne et soins aigus gériatriques, centre Antonin-Balmes, CHU de Montpellier, 39, avenue Charles-Flahault, 34295 Montpellier cedex 5, France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Guilhem
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Celton
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Terminet
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pavio
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Raschilas
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Blain
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017564:Radiation Pneumonitis; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D008775:Methylprednisolone