[Rapid resolution of nitrofurantoin-induced interstitial lung disease]

Arch Bronconeumol. 2009 Jul;45(7):352-5. doi: 10.1016/j.arbres.2008.05.009. Epub 2009 Mar 31.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

We report the case of a 40-year-old woman diagnosed with interstitial lung disease due to long-term nitrofurantoin therapy. Despite severely distorted bronchiolar architecture and honeycombing confirmed by computed tomography of the thorax, transbronchial biopsy showed a pattern of acute/subacute interstitial pneumonitis and the symptoms and radiographic findings disappeared within 1 month after administration of prednisone. This case shows that nitrofurantoin-induced lung disease may run a benign course and respond favorably to corticosteroids, even when there is radiographic evidence of established lung fibrosis. Transbronchial biopsy might be useful for assessing the reversibility of pulmonary lesions associated with nitrofurantoin.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Biopsy / methods
  • Bronchoscopy
  • Female
  • Fibroblasts / pathology
  • Humans
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / chemically induced*
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / diagnostic imaging
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / drug therapy
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / pathology
  • Lymphocytes / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Nitrofurantoin / adverse effects*
  • Prednisone / therapeutic use*
  • Radiography
  • Remission Induction
  • Urinary Tract Infections / drug therapy
  • Urinary Tract Infections / prevention & control

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Nitrofurantoin
  • Prednisone