Amiodarone lung toxicity in a cardiac transplant candidate initially diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration: cytologic, histologic, and electronmicroscopic findings

Diagn Cytopathol. 2006 May;34(5):351-4. doi: 10.1002/dc.20313.

Abstract

A cardiac transplant candidate with ischemic cardiomyopathy developed bilateral small parenchymal opacities in lower lobes of the lung. A fine-needle aspiration (FNA) was performed that revealed changes characteristic of amiodarone toxicity. Subsequently performed lung biopsies and electron microscopic studies confirmed the initial FNA diagnosis. The patient has been successfully transplanted with marked improvement in his clinical findings. This is the first case of amiodarone lung toxicity where the diagnosis was initially suggested based on the FNA findings. We also describe the clinical, cytological, histological, and electron microscopic (EM) findings of amiodarone-related pulmonary toxicity and provide a review of the literature.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Amiodarone / adverse effects*
  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / adverse effects*
  • Biopsy, Fine-Needle
  • Chronic Disease
  • Cryptogenic Organizing Pneumonia / chemically induced*
  • Cryptogenic Organizing Pneumonia / drug therapy
  • Cryptogenic Organizing Pneumonia / pathology
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Heart Transplantation
  • Humans
  • Lung / drug effects*
  • Lung / pathology
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / chemically induced*
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / drug therapy
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / pathology
  • Male
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
  • Amiodarone