A Case of Lymphocytic Interstitial Pneumonia Manifested as a Multi-focal Consolidation.

Hwang, Kyu Sig; Roh, Young Wook; Song, Sung Heon; Kim, Sang Heon; Sohn, Jang Won; Yoon, Ho Joo; Shin, Dong Ho; Park, Sung Soo; Oh, Young Ha; Kim, Tae Hyung

doi:2009.67.1.37

Tuberc Respir Dis > Volume 67(1); 2009 > Article

Case Report

Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases 2009;67(1):37-41.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4046/trd.2009.67.1.37 Published online July 1, 2009.

A Case of Lymphocytic Interstitial Pneumonia Manifested as a Multi-focal Consolidation.

Kyu Sig Hwang, Young Wook Roh, Sung Heon Song, Sang Heon Kim, Jang Won Sohn, Ho Joo Yoon, Dong Ho Shin, Sung Soo Park, Young Ha Oh, Tae Hyung Kim

¹Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. drterry@hanyang.ac.kr
²Department of Pathology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Abstract

Lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia (LIP) is a rare disorder characterized by a diffuse infiltration of the alveolar space, interstitium by lymphocytes, plasma cells, and reticuloendothelial cells. Although its etiology is unknown, LIP has been associated with autoimmune disorders and with viral infections. Because it's clinical and radiographic features are nonspecific, a confirmatory diagnosis is performed by open lung biopsy. A 59-year-old female presented dry cough, which had been present for 1 month. On initial findings of multifocal consolidation at the right middle lobe on both lower lobes in chest radiography, the first diagnosis of cryptogenic organizing pneumonia was suggested. On open lung biopsy, LIP was diagnosed. The patient had no autoimmune disease, viral infection or monoclonal gammopathy. After 3 months of corticosteroid treatment, the patient experienced improved symptoms, reduced abnormalities on chest radiography, and improved pulmonary function testing.

Key Words: Lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia, Cryptogenic organizing pneumonia, Interstitial lung disease