Semin Respir Crit Care Med 2003; 24(4): 445-454
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-42379
Copyright © 2003 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

Drug-Induced Lung Disease: A Pragmatic Classification Incorporating HRCT Appearances

Jeffrey L. Myers1 , Andrew H. Limper2 , Stephen J. Swensen3
  • 1Division of Anatomic Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
  • 2Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
  • 3Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
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Publication History

Publication Date:
18 October 2003 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Drug-induced lung disease frequently poses a diagnostic challenge. Knowledge of common radiological patterns of lung involvement and corresponding histopathologic diagnoses can facilitate management of individual patients. We outline a framework for understanding radiological and histologic patterns of drug-induced lung disease. Diffuse forms of drug-induced lung disease include processes that mimic acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. These patterns of drug-induced lung disease are especially common in patients receiving cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents. Chronic forms of drug-induced lung disease include many of the interstitial pneumonias seen more commonly in patients with idiopathic disease. Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia and eosinophilic pneumonia are nonspecific patterns of drug-induced lung disease that are radiologically and histologically indistinguishable from their idiopathic counterparts. In some patients organizing pneumonia and eosinophilic pneumonia mimic the radiological appearance of neoplastic disease.

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