Korean J Hematol.  2007 Dec;42(4):423-427. 10.5045/kjh.2007.42.4.423.

Rituximab-induced Interstitial Pneumonitis in a Young Patient: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

• Lee DM
• Oh SY
• Yoon HA
• Lee S
• Kim SH
• Kwon HC
• Lee SK
• Kim HJ

• KMID: 2252231
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5045/kjh.2007.42.4.423

Abstract

Side effects of rituximab are mild in most cases, but there have been a few cases of severe pulmonary toxicity reported in elderly patients. Here we report a case of interstitial pneumonitis following rituximab treatment in a young patient. A 35-year-old woman with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma was admitted complaining of dry cough and dyspnea without fever after the 3 treatments with rituximab-CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone) chemotherapy. Her chest CT with high-resolution CT scanning confirmed the presence of bilateral diffuse ground-glass opacities. The analysis of arterial blood gases indicated hypoxemia. The pulmonary function testing showed a restrictive pattern. There were no other findings suggesting an infection. The findings were compatible with a rituximab-induced interstitial pneumonitis. After the patient was treated with prednisolone, the symptoms resolved. Cases with rituximab-induced interstitial pneumonitis develop principally in elderly patients. However, the condition also can occur in young patients.

Keyword

Rituximab; Interstitial pneumonitis; Young patient; Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aged
Anoxia
Cough
Doxorubicin
Drug Therapy
Dyspnea
Female
Fever
Gases
Humans
Lung Diseases, Interstitial*
Lymphoma, B-Cell
Prednisolone
Respiratory Function Tests
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Vincristine
Rituximab
Doxorubicin
Gases
Prednisolone
Vincristine

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Rituximab-induced interstitial pneumonitis in chest HRCT scan and radiography.

• 

  Fig. 2 After prednisolone treatment for 2 weeks, interstitial pneumonitis resolved in chest HRCT scan and radiography.

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