TITLE:
Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia: A case report and review of the literature
AUTHORS:
Yunjie Ge, Xiudi Han, Xuedong Liu
KEYWORDS:
Chronic Eosinophilic Pneumonia; Case Report
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Internal Medicine,
Vol.3 No.4,
December
11,
2013
ABSTRACT:
Objective: We introduce one case of chronic eosinophilic
pneumonia (CEP) and review the literature nearly 10 years in order to improve
the understanding of this rare disease. Methods: A case of CEP diagnosed by
transbronchial lung biopsy with clinical and follow-up data was analyzed and its
clinical features, diagnosis and treatment combined with the literature
were discussed. Result: CEP is a chronic pulmonary eosinophilic inflammation with
unknown etiology, characterized by history
of allergic disease, cough, sputum, but often breathlessness and
wheezing; eosinophil in peripheral blood and/or sputum and/or bronchoalveolar
lavage fluid significantly increased; chest X-ray showed progressively peripheral
non-segment distribution of high-density infiltrates, often called “reversed
pulmonary edema sign”; Pathology showed
eosinophil infiltration in lung interstitial, bronchial submucosal and
excessive eosinophil exudation in alveolar. Oral corticosteroids had a good
response, but easy to relapse. Conclusions: Eosinophil count of bronchoalveolar
lavage or lung biopsy can confirm the diagnosis of CEP timely in suspected patients.
Bronchoscope can play an important role in assisting diagnosis and improving
symptoms.