Organizing diffuse alveolar damage associated with progressive systemic sclerosis

Mayo Clin Proc. 1997 Jul;72(7):639-42. doi: 10.1016/S0025-6196(11)63569-6.

Abstract

Diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) is a relatively nonspecific pattern of acute lung injury that can be observed in a wide range of clinical circumstances. DAD has often been recognized in association with various connective tissue diseases; however, to our knowledge, it has not been previously reported in the setting of progressive systemic sclerosis. Herein we describe two patients with established diagnoses of progressive systemic sclerosis who had development of the acute respiratory distress syndrome. Open-lung biopsy specimens from both patients showed a histologic pattern of DAD with no identifiable cause other than their progressive systemic sclerosis. Our results suggest that DAD should be added to the list of pleuropulmonary complications of progressive systemic sclerosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antirheumatic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Biopsy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Pancytopenia / complications
  • Penicillamine / therapeutic use
  • Pulmonary Alveoli / pathology*
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome / etiology*
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome / pathology
  • Respiratory Insufficiency / etiology
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / complications*
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / drug therapy
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / pathology

Substances

  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Penicillamine