Korean J Intern Med.  2010 Dec;25(4):447-449. 10.3904/kjim.2010.25.4.447.

Thalidomide Induced Nonspecific Interstitial Pneumonia in Patient with Relapsed Multiple Myeloma

• Kang MH
• Ju JH
• Kim HG
• Kang JH
• Jeon KN
• Kim HC
• Lee GW

• KMID: 964727
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3904/kjim.2010.25.4.447

Abstract

A 63-year-old female diagnosed with relapsed multiple myeloma visited our hospital complaining of a persistent cough. Since July 2006, she had been taking 100 mg thalidomide daily and gradually developed shortness of breath and a persistent dry cough. A chest X-ray and computed tomography showed ground glass opacities in both lungs. An open lung biopsy of the right middle lobe under general anesthesia revealed chronic peribronchial inflammation, mild interstitial fibrosis, and intra-alveolar macrophage infiltration, with some hemosiderin features, compatible with non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP). After discontinuing the thalidomide, the patient's symptoms did not deteriorate, although the radiographs did not improve. The patient is alive and well with regular outpatient follow-up without progression of the NSIP.

Keyword

Lung diseases, interstitial; Thalidomide; Multiple myeloma

MeSH Terms

Female
Humans
Lung Diseases, Interstitial/*chemically induced
Middle Aged
Multiple Myeloma/*drug therapy
Thalidomide/*adverse effects/therapeutic use