title: Migratory eosinophilic alveolitis caused by radiation therapy.
abstract: Although radiation pneumonitis is usually confined to irradiated areas, some studies have reported that radiation-induced lymphocytic alveolitis can also spread to the non-irradiated lung. However, there have been few reports of radiation-induced eosinophilic alveolitis. We report the case of a 27-year-old female with radiation pneumonitis, occurring 4 months after radiation therapy for cancer of the left breast. Clinical and radiological relapse followed withdrawal of corticosteroids. Examination of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in patchy airspace consolidations revealed increased eosinophil counts. Finally, clinical and radiological signs resolved rapidly after reintroduction of corticosteroids. Eosinophilic alveolitis may be promoted by radiation therapy. In the present case report, possible mechanisms for radiation-induced eosinophilic alveolitis are also reviewed.
authors.affiliation: 1 Division of Pulmonology, Department of Internal Medicine, 2 Department of Radiation Oncology, 3 Department of Pathology, Inha University Hospital, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Jun Hyeok
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.affiliation: 1 Division of Pulmonology, Department of Internal Medicine, 2 Department of Radiation Oncology, 3 Department of Pathology, Inha University Hospital, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Hae-Seong
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Nam
authors.affiliation: 1 Division of Pulmonology, Department of Internal Medicine, 2 Department of Radiation Oncology, 3 Department of Pathology, Inha University Hospital, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Hun Jung
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: 1 Division of Pulmonology, Department of Internal Medicine, 2 Department of Radiation Oncology, 3 Department of Pathology, Inha University Hospital, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Chang-Hwan
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: 1 Division of Pulmonology, Department of Internal Medicine, 2 Department of Radiation Oncology, 3 Department of Pathology, Inha University Hospital, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, Korea.
authors.forename: In-Suh
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: 1 Division of Pulmonology, Department of Internal Medicine, 2 Department of Radiation Oncology, 3 Department of Pathology, Inha University Hospital, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Jae Hwa
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: 1 Division of Pulmonology, Department of Internal Medicine, 2 Department of Radiation Oncology, 3 Department of Pathology, Inha University Hospital, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Jeong-Seon
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Ryu
authors.affiliation: 1 Division of Pulmonology, Department of Internal Medicine, 2 Department of Radiation Oncology, 3 Department of Pathology, Inha University Hospital, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Seung Min
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Kwak
authors.affiliation: 1 Division of Pulmonology, Department of Internal Medicine, 2 Department of Radiation Oncology, 3 Department of Pathology, Inha University Hospital, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Hong Lyeol
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Lee
keywords: Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL); eosinophilic alveolitis; migration; radiation therapy