Tuberc Respir Dis.  2009 Oct;67(4):359-363.

Two Cases of Pulmonary Involvement of Immunoglobulin G4 Related Autoimmune Disease

• Yoo JW
• Roh JH
• Lim CM
• Lee SD
• Kim WS
• Kim DS
• Song JW

Abstract

Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) related autoimmune diseases are characterized by high serum IgG4 concentrations, sclerosing inflammation of numerous IgG4-positive lymphoplasma cells of varying origin, and a positive response to steroid treatment. Autoimmune pancreatitis, sclerosing cholangitis, and retroperitoneal fibrosis are representative presentations of IgG4 related autoimmune disease. Herein, we describe 2 patients (40-years-old woman and 47-years-old man) diagnosed with pulmonary involvement of IgG4-related autoimmune disease. The patients were admitted for an evaluation of the lung mass or multiple lung nodules found on chest radiography. Surgical lung biopsies were performed and pathologic finding revealed lymphoplasmacytic sclerosing inflammation with numerous IgG4 positive cells. The patients had elevated serum total IgG and IgG4 levels. Treatment consisted of high dose methylpredinisolone (1 mg/kg/day) and demonstrated good responsiveness. However, one patient experienced 2 relapses while being tapered off of steroid treatment.

Keyword

Immunoglobulin G; Lung involvement; Autoimmune diseases

MeSH Terms

Autoimmune Diseases
Biopsy
Cholangitis, Sclerosing
Female
Humans
Immunoglobulin G
Immunoglobulins
Inflammation
Lung
Pancreatitis
Recurrence
Retroperitoneal Fibrosis
Thorax
Immunoglobulin G
Immunoglobulins

Figure

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  Figure 1 Patient 1. (A) Chest radiography showed multiple ill-defined nodular opacity in right lung field and fibrostreak lesion in left upper lung field. (B) Chest CT scan showed multiple irregular nodule in right upper lung. Patient 2. (C) Chest radiography shows ill-defined consolidative lesion on right middle lung. (D) Chest CT shows mass-like opacity and ill-defined nodular opacity in right middle lobe and right lower lobe.

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  Figure 2 Patient 1. (A), (B) Lung biopsy showed lymphoplasmacytic sclerosing inflammation with numerous IgG4 positive plasma cells (H&E stain, ×400, IgG4 immunostaining). Patient 2. (C) Lung biopsy reveals inflammatory cell infiltration such as lymphocytes and plasma cells (H&E stain, ×100 ). (D) IgG4 immunostaining showed immunoreactive plasma cells (×100).

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