[Interstitial pneumonia during treatment with thalidomide in a patient with multiple myeloma]

Rinsho Ketsueki. 2004 Sep;45(9):1064-6.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

A 66-year-old man was referred to our hospital for the treatment of refractory multiple myeloma with thalidomide. He had a history of an interstitial pneumonia of unknown etiology two months before admission. Eight days after starting 200 mg/ day of thalidomide, he developed dyspnea and fever, followed by a macropapular rash in the trunk. The dyspnea got worse and a CT scan revealed interstitial pneumonia 16 days after the treatment. He required mechanical ventilatory support. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid revealed eosinophilia, suggesting a thalidomide-induced interstitial pneumonia. Thalidomide was discontinued and methylprednisolone (1000 mg/d x 3 days) was started, and the pneumonia and rash markedly improved within six days. After that the patient contracted MRSA pneumonia and died of MRSA septicemia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Humans
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / chemically induced*
  • Male
  • Multiple Myeloma / drug therapy*
  • Thalidomide / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Thalidomide