A case of isolated IgG4-related interstitial pneumonia: a new consideration for the cause of idiopathic nonspecific interstitial pneumonia

Chest. 2012 Jul;142(1):228-230. doi: 10.1378/chest.11-1858.

Abstract

The 2008 American Thoracic Society Project concluded that idiopathic nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), once regarded as a "provisional" diagnosis, can be considered a distinct clinical entity. However, an increasing number of recent reports have shown a likely link between the entity of idiopathic NSIP and autoimmune diseases. Similarly, IgG4-related disease is being increasingly reported, and some of the lung lesions, at least radiologically, look like NSIP. A case of IgG4-related interstitial lung disease without other systemic manifestations of IgG4-related disease is reported. The existence of IgG4-related disease should, therefore, be taken into consideration as a possible differential diagnosis from NSIP. The cause of IgG4-related disease remains unknown, but we emphasize the importance of a clinically novel interstitial lung disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Aged
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / metabolism*
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / diagnosis*
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / drug therapy
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / immunology*
  • Male
  • Prednisone / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Prednisone