Abstract
Drug induced lung disease (DILD) is the most common cause of iatrogenic damage to the lungs. More than 350 drugs have been identified leading to DILD. We evaluated the characteristics of patients with DILD between 2007-2010, at our institution retrospectively, for demographic features, pulmonary function tests (PFT), diffusion capacities, high resolution computed tomograms (HRCT) findings, diagnostic methods and treatment modalities. 11 patients (M:F=9:2, mean age 60±20.3) were identified with DILD. 3 had chronic myeloid leukemia; congestive heart failure, asthma, testicular cancer, malignant melanoma, acute lymphocytic and myelocytic leukemia, renal transplantation and lung cancer was diagnosed in one patient each. Cough, respiratory failure and fever were the most common symptoms. 4 patients exhibited normal, 5 revealed restrictive, one patient for each revealed obstructive and mixed PFTs. Diffusion capacities in 6 patients were low. Ground glass opacities (2), bilateral patchy consolidation (2), interstitial fibrosis (2), pleural effusion (1) were evident in HRCT, however 1 patient revealed no abnormality. 3 patients underwent bronchoscopy for bronchoalveoler lavage. Infectious causes were excluded by microbiological and laboratory tests. Lung involvement was thought to be due to bleomycine (1), methotrexate (1), cyclophosphamide (1), cisplatin (1), dasatinib (2), Ara-C (2), cilazapril (1), amiodaron (1), tacrolimus (1). Radiological and clinical improvement was achieved with systemic steroids in 10 and cessation of the drug in one. DILD can cause significant mortality and morbidity. We believe that consequence of DILD could be reduced by high degree of suspicion and by excluding other causes for common pulmonary symptoms and abnormal radiographic findings.
- © 2011 ERS