Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage after leflunomide therapy in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis

J Thorac Imaging. 2008 Feb;23(1):57-9. doi: 10.1097/RTI.0b013e3181598d40.

Abstract

We report the case of a young man, affected by rheumatoid arthritis who developed a rapid-onset short-of-breath, hemoptysis, and severe weakness, about 2 weeks after the administration of leflunomide. Chest radiography showed central bilateral opacities and pleural effusion as confirmed by the high-resolution computed tomography that demonstrated diffuse ground-glass and interlobular septal thickening as well. On admission at the Emergency Department, a microhematuria and a severe anemia were also documented. On the basis of the clinico-radiologic presentation, a pulmonary hemorrhage was likely to occur; so to clarify the origin of this process, a complete serologic examination was performed but all the antibodies were negative. Finally a renal biopsy was performed and it showed a pauci-immunologic glomerulonephritis and the bronchioloalveolar lavage confirmed the diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. In conclusion, the diagnosis of leflunomide-pulmonary-renal syndrome was rendered. The treatment with leflunomide was suspended; the conditions of the patient gradually improved and he became completely asymptomatic 1 week later.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / adverse effects*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy*
  • Biopsy
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Dyspnea / chemically induced
  • Hemoptysis / chemically induced
  • Hemorrhage / chemically induced*
  • Hemorrhage / diagnosis
  • Hemorrhage / therapy
  • Humans
  • Isoxazoles / adverse effects*
  • Kidney / drug effects
  • Kidney / pathology
  • Leflunomide
  • Lung / diagnostic imaging
  • Lung Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Lung Diseases / diagnosis
  • Lung Diseases / drug therapy
  • Male
  • Methylprednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Muscle Weakness / chemically induced
  • Pleural Effusion / chemically induced
  • Pulmonary Alveoli / drug effects*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Isoxazoles
  • Leflunomide
  • Methylprednisolone