title: [Fatal pneumonitis during low-dose methotrexate treatment].
abstract: We present the case of a 71 year old Swiss woman with a symptomatic rheumatic arthritis whose rheumatologist started a therapy with methotrexate. While the symptoms disappeared completely, the woman died about two months later suddenly. By then she got a cumulative dose of 160 mg. The forensic post-mortem examination showed a fibrosing alveolitis. If respiratory symptoms appear under methotrexat regimen therapy, immediate stopping the medication could be life-saving. In accordance to the chest x-ray a cortisone therapy can be established.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Rechtsmedizin, Abteilung Forensische Medizin, Universität Zürich, Winterthurerstr. 190/52, CH-8057, Zürich, Schweiz, viktor.martos@irm.uzh.ch.
authors.forename: V P
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Martos
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vonlanthen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012213:Rheumatic Fever / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D008727:Methotrexate