RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Little has been reported on the feasibility of xenon-enhanced dual-energy computed tomography (Xe-DECT) in the visual and quantitative analysis of combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE). OBJECTIVES: We compared CPFE with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as well as correlation with parameters of pulmonary function tests (PFTs). METHODS: Studied in 3 groups were 25 patients with CPFE, 25 with IPF without emphysema (IPF alone), 30 with COPD. Xe-DECT of the patients' entire thorax was taken from apex to base after a patient's single deep inspiration of 35% stable nonradioactive xenon. The differences in several parameters of PFTs and percentage of areas enhanced by xenon between 3 groups were compared and analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The percentage of areas enhanced by xenon in both lungs were calculated as CPFE/IPF alone/COPD = 72.2 ± 15.1% / 82.2 ± 14.7% /45.2 ± 23.2%, respectively. In the entire patients, the percentage of areas enhanced by xenon showed significantly a positive correlation with FEV1/FVC (R = 0.558, P < 0.0001) and %FEV1, (R = 0.528, P < 0.0001) and a negative correlation with %RV (R = -0.594, P < 0.0001) and RV/TLC (R = -0.579, P < 0.0001). The percentage of areas enhanced by xenon in patients with CPFE showed significantly a negative correlation with RV/TLC (R = -0.529, P = 0.007). Xenon enhancement of CPFE indicated 3 different patterns such as upper predominant, diffuse, and multifocal defect. The percentage of areas enhanced by xenon in upper predominant defect pattern was significantly higher than that in diffuse defect and multifocal defect pattern among these 3 different patterns in CPFE. CONCLUSION: The percentage of areas enhanced by xenon demonstrated strong correlations with obstructive ventilation impairment. Therefore, we conclude that Xe-DECT may be useful for distinguishing emphysema lesion from fibrotic lesion in CPFE.
Asunto(s)
Enfisema/diagnóstico por imagen , Fibrosis Pulmonar/diagnóstico por imagen , Tomografía Computarizada por Rayos X/métodos , Xenón , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Enfisema/fisiopatología , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Fibrosis Pulmonar/fisiopatologíaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: An oxidant-antioxidant imbalance is considered to be involved in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Therefore, administration of antioxidants, such as N-acetylcysteine (NAC), may represent a potential treatment option for IPF patients. METHODS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of inhaled NAC monotherapy on lung function and redox balance in patients with IPF. A retrospective observational study was done, involving 22 patients with untreated early IPF (19 men; mean [±S.D.] age, 71.8 [±6.3]y). At baseline and at 6 and 12 months after initiating inhaled NAC monotherapy, we assessed forced vital capacity (FVC) and measured the levels of total glutathione, oxidized glutathione (GSSG), and the ratio of reduced to oxidized glutathione in whole blood (hereafter referred to as the ratio), and of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine in urine. To evaluate response to treatment, we defined disease progression as a decrease in FVC of ≥5% from baseline and stable disease as a decrease in FVC of <5%, over a period of 6 months. RESULTS: Change in FVC in the stable group at 6 and 12 months were 95±170mL and -70±120mL, while those in the progressive group at 6 and 12 months were -210±80mL, -320±350mL, respectively. The serial mean change in GSSG from baseline decreased as the ratio of reduced to oxidized glutathione increased in patients with stable disease, while it increased as this ratio decreased in patients with progressive disease. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that a baseline GSSG level of ≥1.579µM was optimal for identifying treatment responders. CONCLUSION: Inhaled NAC monotherapy was associated with improved redox imbalance in patients with early IPF.
Asunto(s)
Acetilcisteína/administración & dosificación , Disulfuro de Glutatión/metabolismo , Glutatión/metabolismo , Fibrosis Pulmonar Idiopática/tratamiento farmacológico , Fibrosis Pulmonar Idiopática/metabolismo , Capacidad Vital , Administración por Inhalación , Anciano , Progresión de la Enfermedad , Femenino , Humanos , Fibrosis Pulmonar Idiopática/etiología , Fibrosis Pulmonar Idiopática/fisiopatología , Masculino , Curva ROC , Estudios RetrospectivosRESUMEN
A 30-year-old man was admitted to Toho University Omori Medical Center for assessment of right chest pain and fever. Chest computed tomography (CT) revealed an anterior mediastinal tumor sized 11.0×6.0×5.0 cm, with right pleural effusion. The laboratory analysis revealed elevated white blood cell count (11,000/µl), C-reactive protein (4.1 mg/dl) and cytokeratin fragment (CYFRA; 12.7 ng/ml; normal, <2 ng/ml). The level of CYFRA in the pleural effusion was also markedly elevated (143 ng/ml). On the first day after admission (6 days after the initial CT), there was a mild regression on CT (10.0×5.5×4.4 cm; reduction rate, 26.7%), with decrease of the pleural effusion volume. A CT-guided needle biopsy was performed, but the findings were not conclusive, as most of the tissue was necrotic. Seven days later (13 days after the initial CT), a CT revealed further regression (9.5×5.4×4.2 cm; reduction rate, 34.7%) with disappearance of the pleural effusion. The patient was followed up on an outpatient basis. At 35 days after the initial CT, the tumor continued to shrink without treatment (8.0×3.6×3.0 cm; reduction rate, 73.8%) and the serum CYFRA level had decreased to 0.8 ng/ml, although it had not returned to normal levels. At 62 days after the initial CT, the patient underwent surgical resection. The resected specimen was diagnosed as thymoma (World Health Organization type B2; Masaoka classification, stage II), with prominent degeneration and necrosis. One possible cause of the spontaneous regression may be increased internal pressure, probably associated with rapid tumor growth, leading to massive necrosis with resulting chest pain, inflammatory reaction with pleural effusion and subsequent tumor regression. The serum CYFRA level may be a useful marker for the evaluation of the clinical course of thymoma with extensive necrosis.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Treatment with pirfenidone may slow the decline in vital capacity and increase progression-free survival (PFS) in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The effects of combination therapy with inhaled N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and pirfenidone are unclear. We assessed the effects of this combination therapy in patients with advanced IPF. METHODS: Patients with a diagnosis of advanced IPF (Japanese Respiratory Society stage III/IV IPF) and a relative decline in forced vital capacity (FVC) of ≥ 10% within the previous 6 (± 2) months were enrolled. Outcomes were evaluated in a 12-month follow-up pulmonary function test. Treatment was considered ineffective if the decline in FVC was ≥ 10% and effective if the decline was <10%. We compared clinical characteristics, effectiveness and PFS between patients receiving inhaled NAC plus pirfenidone (n = 24) and those receiving pirfenidone alone (control; n = 10). RESULTS: Data from 34 IPF patients (age range, 59-82 years) were analysed. At the 12-month follow-up examination, treatment was deemed effective in 8 of 17 (47%) patients receiving NAC plus pirfenidone and in 2 of 10 (20%) receiving pirfenidone alone. The annual rate of change in FVC was -610 mL in the NAC plus pirfenidone group and -1320 mL in the pirfenidone group (P < 0.01). PFS was longer (304 days) in the NAC plus pirfenidone group than in the pirfenidone group (168 days; P = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Combination treatment with inhaled NAC and oral pirfenidone reduced the rate of annual FVC decline and improved PFS in patients with advanced IPF.
Asunto(s)
Acetilcisteína/administración & dosificación , Fibrosis Pulmonar Idiopática/tratamiento farmacológico , Piridonas/administración & dosificación , Administración por Inhalación , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Antiinflamatorios no Esteroideos/administración & dosificación , Supervivencia sin Enfermedad , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Quimioterapia Combinada , Femenino , Depuradores de Radicales Libres/administración & dosificación , Humanos , Fibrosis Pulmonar Idiopática/fisiopatología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estudios Retrospectivos , Resultado del Tratamiento , Capacidad Vital/efectos de los fármacosRESUMEN
AIM: The present pilot study assessed the usefulness of nanofluidic digital polymerase chain reaction (PCR) arrays in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutant lung adenocarcinoma after tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) resistance. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We enrolled 12 patients with primary lung adenocarcinoma with sensitive EGFR mutation-confirmed T790M status by re-biopsy after TKI resistance. Nanofluidic digital PCR arrays were used to quantify T790M in genomic DNA from the pre-treatment primary site and in serum cell-free DNA (cfDNA). RESULTS: On digital PCR, quantified T790M at the pre-treatment primary site was higher in re-biopsy-positive T790M patients (n=4) than in re-biopsy-negative patients (n=8) (0.78%±0.36% vs. 0.07%±0.09%, p<0.01). T790M at the pre-treatment primary site correlated with progression-free survival (PFS) after gefitinib therapy (r=0.67, p=0.016). CONCLUSION: Use of digital PCR to quantify T790M at the primary site of EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinoma predicted T790M emergence in re-biopsies after TKI resistance and PFS after gefitinib therapy.
Asunto(s)
Adenocarcinoma/genética , Receptores ErbB/genética , Neoplasias Pulmonares/genética , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa/métodos , Adenocarcinoma del Pulmón , Anciano , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Mutación , Proyectos Piloto , Estudios RetrospectivosRESUMEN
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The results of studies examining the outcome and the factors predicting prognosis in combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) have so far been contradictory. Our objective was to determine prognosis and the prognostic factors for CPFE. METHODS: Of 108 consecutive idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients admitted to our hospital, 46 were diagnosed as having CPFE and 62 patients diagnosed as having IPF alone. We retrospectively compared the clinical features between these two groups. RESULTS: Annual increase in estimated systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (esPAP) was significantly greater in CPFE patients, and survival time was significantly lower. Moreover, the prognosis was unfavourable regardless of the presence of lung cancer. The multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression model showed that predictive factors were an increase in the modified Medical Research Council dyspnoea score and esPAP ≥ 30.4 mm Hg. We classified patients into the following four groups: CPFE with high esPAP (esPAP ≥ 30.4 mm Hg), CPFE with normal esPAP (esPAP < 30.4 mm Hg), IPF alone with high esPAP and IPF alone with normal esPAP. Survival in the CPFE with high esPAP group was significantly worse than that in the other three subgroups. Furthermore, CPFE with the paraseptal type of emphysema and high esPAP had the worst prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that the prognosis of CPFE is significantly worse than that of IPF alone. In particular, CPFE with paraseptal emphysema associated with high esPAP has an extremely poor prognosis.
Asunto(s)
Fibrosis Pulmonar Idiopática/complicaciones , Enfisema Pulmonar/etiología , Anciano , Progresión de la Enfermedad , Femenino , Humanos , Fibrosis Pulmonar Idiopática/diagnóstico , Masculino , Pronóstico , Modelos de Riesgos Proporcionales , Enfisema Pulmonar/diagnóstico , Estudios RetrospectivosRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Germline alterations in the proapoptotic protein Bcl-2-like 11 (BIM) can have a crucial role in tumor response to treatment. To determine the clinical utility of detecting BIM deletion polymorphism in non-small-cell lung cancer positive for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation, we examined outcomes of patients with and without BIM alterations. METHODS: We studied 70 patients with EGFR mutation-positive non-small-cell lung cancer who were treated with an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor between January 2008 and January 2013. BIM deletion was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction in 58 samples of peripheral blood and 24 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded slides of surgical specimens (20 of lung tissue and four of brain tissue); both blood and tissue specimens were available for 12 patients. We retrospectively analyzed clinical characteristics, response rate, toxicity, and outcomes among patients with and without BIM deletion. RESULTS: BIM deletion was present in 13 of 70 patients (18.6%). There were no significant differences between patients with and without BIM deletion in clinical characteristics, rate of response to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, or incidence of adverse events. Patients with BIM deletion had significantly shorter progression-free survival (PFS) than those without BIM deletion (median, 227 versus 533 days; p < 0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that BIM deletion was an independent indicator of shorter PFS (hazard ratio, 3.99; 95% confidence interval, 1.864-8.547; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Polymerase chain reaction successfully detected BIM deletion in samples of peripheral blood and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded slides of surgical specimens. BIM deletion was the most important independent prognostic factor in shorter PFS.
Asunto(s)
Adenocarcinoma/genética , Proteínas Reguladoras de la Apoptosis/genética , Carcinoma de Pulmón de Células no Pequeñas/genética , Receptores ErbB/genética , Eliminación de Gen , Neoplasias Pulmonares/genética , Proteínas de la Membrana/genética , Mutación/genética , Polimorfismo Genético/genética , Proteínas Proto-Oncogénicas/genética , Adenocarcinoma/mortalidad , Adenocarcinoma/secundario , Anciano , Proteína 11 Similar a Bcl2 , Carcinoma de Pulmón de Células no Pequeñas/mortalidad , Carcinoma de Pulmón de Células no Pequeñas/secundario , Femenino , Estudios de Seguimiento , Humanos , Neoplasias Pulmonares/mortalidad , Neoplasias Pulmonares/patología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Metástasis de la Neoplasia , Estadificación de Neoplasias , Pronóstico , Estudios Retrospectivos , Tasa de SupervivenciaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of pirfenidone in patients with advanced-stage idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), we conducted a retrospective study of patients who received pirfenidone therapy. In addition, the combined effects of inhaled N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and pirfenidone were evaluated. METHODS: Eligible patients had a clinical and radiologic diagnosis of advanced-stage IPF (stages of severity III&IV). Patients who exhibited a relative decline in forced vital capacity (FVC) of 10% or more within the preceding six (±2) months were enrolled. The outcome was evaluated from the date of the 6-month follow-up PFT. Relative declines in FVC of more than 10% were defined as progressive disease (ineffective group), while those less than 10% were defined as stable disease (effective group). The clinical features were compared between the two groups. We also compared the efficacy of the combined therapy with inhaled NAC and pirfenidone (n=11) with that of pirfenidone alone (n=7). RESULTS: Eighteen patients 59-82 years of age with IPF who received pirfenidone therapy were reviewed. Pirfenidone stabilized declines in FVC by 10% at six months in eight of the 18 cases (44%). The median changes in FVC at six months were +120 mL in the effective group and -590 mL in the ineffective group. The number of NAC users was significantly higher in the effective group (7/8=87.5%) than in the ineffective group (3/10=30%) (p=0.02). Furthermore, the use of combined NAC therapy was correlated with a favorable outcome. The median change in FVC at six months was 0 mL in the NAC group and -290 mL in the non-NAC group. The median survival period was 557 ± 66 days in the NAC group and 196 ± 57 days in the non-NAC group (p=0.03). CONCLUSION: Among the advanced-stage IPF patients with a more progressive status, pirfenidone decreased the rate of decline in FVC. In addition, patients treated with pirfenidone combined with NAC therapy exhibited favorable outcomes. Additional studies are needed to confirm the efficacy of this combined therapy for IPF.
Asunto(s)
Fibrosis Pulmonar Idiopática/tratamiento farmacológico , Piridonas/uso terapéutico , Acetilcisteína/administración & dosificación , Administración por Inhalación , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Antiinflamatorios no Esteroideos/administración & dosificación , Antiinflamatorios no Esteroideos/uso terapéutico , Antioxidantes/administración & dosificación , Antioxidantes/uso terapéutico , Progresión de la Enfermedad , Quimioterapia Combinada , Femenino , Humanos , Fibrosis Pulmonar Idiopática/fisiopatología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Piridonas/administración & dosificación , Estudios Retrospectivos , Resultado del Tratamiento , Capacidad Vital/efectos de los fármacosRESUMEN
Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related lung diseases can occur in patients with autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP). However, the causal relationship between AIP and acquired hemophilia A (AH) is unknown. We herein report the first case of AH associated with IgG4-related lung disease that developed in a patient with AIP. A 65-year-old asymptomatic man with a history of AIP and sclerosing cholangitis diagnosed at the age of 57 was admitted to our hospital due to an abnormal reticulonodular shadow on chest X-ray. An examination of lung biopsy specimens revealed IgG4-positive plasma cell infiltration in the interstitium. The serum IgG4 level was elevated. One year later, the patient developed a progressive severe hematoma in the left femoral muscle. On admission, laboratory examinations revealed severe anemia with a markedly prolonged activated partial prothrombin time, a decreased level of factor VIII (FVIII) activity, and the existence of anti-FVIII antibodies. These findings were consistent with a diagnosis of AH. No relapse has been observed over the past 25 months, during which time, corticosteroid therapy has been continuously administered.
Asunto(s)
Enfermedades Autoinmunes/complicaciones , Enfermedades Autoinmunes/inmunología , Hemofilia A/complicaciones , Hemofilia A/inmunología , Inmunoglobulina G/metabolismo , Enfermedades Pulmonares/complicaciones , Enfermedades Pulmonares/inmunología , Pancreatitis/complicaciones , Pancreatitis/inmunología , Anciano , Enfermedades Autoinmunes/diagnóstico , Hemofilia A/sangre , Hemofilia A/diagnóstico , Humanos , Inmunoglobulina G/sangre , Enfermedades Pulmonares/diagnóstico , Masculino , Tiempo de Tromboplastina ParcialRESUMEN
A 82-year-old man was found to have mucinous bronchioloalveolar carcinoma associated with a cavity 10-cm in size in the right lower lobe, and he underwent a surgical lobectomy in April 2005 (pT2N0M0). Seven months after the surgery, chest images showed multiple metastases with thick-walled cavities in bilateral lung fields. The serial HRCT showed that thick-walled cavity lesions transformed into thin-walled cystic cavities associated with decreasing serum CEA levels. The patient's condition was good with best supportive care for 24 months from the time of recurrence. Subsequent progression of the thick-walled cavities into thin-walled cavities, was acompanied by re-elevation of serum CEA levels, and he died of respiratory failure 5 months after re-exacerbation. Macroscopic findings at autopsy showed multiple cavities in both lungs. Microscopic findings of the right lung showed desquamative mucinous bronchioloalveolar carcinoma cells lining the thick-walled cavity surface, and a single layer of tumor cells proliferating in the thin-walled cavity surface. Tumor cells with excessive mucus and necrosis were observed in the thick-walled cavities. It is suggested that thick-walled cavities were formed as a result of avascular necrosis and destruction of the pulmonary alveoli by excessive mucus, and thin-walled cavities were formed as a result of a check-valve mechanism.
Asunto(s)
Adenocarcinoma Bronquioloalveolar/patología , Neoplasias Pulmonares/patología , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Autopsia , Humanos , MasculinoRESUMEN
Azithromycin (AZM) is widely used for the treatment of respiratory infection. Macrolides are generally well tolerated and adverse reactions are extremely rare. A 78-year-old man was treated with AZM for upper respiratory infection in November 2007. He developed bloody sputum at 5 days after AZM administration. Chest X-ray and CT images revealed diffuse ground glass opacities in the bilateral lung fields. Bronchoalveolar lavage demonstrated bloody fluid. The clinical symptoms and CT image improved after the corticosteroid therapy. His past history revealed that he also developed similar clinical symptoms and radiological features after treatment with AZM for upper respiratory infection at another hospital in October 2006. At that time, his condition improved after the administration of corticosteroid under a diagnosis of interstitial lung disease of unknown etiology. Finally, we diagnosed recurrent alveolar hemorrhage caused by re-administration of AZM. This is apparently the first reported case of AZM-induced diffuse alveolar hemorrhage.
Asunto(s)
Antibacterianos/efectos adversos , Azitromicina/efectos adversos , Hemorragia/inducido químicamente , Enfermedades Pulmonares/inducido químicamente , Anciano , Humanos , MasculinoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Although the number of patients requiring hospitalization due to asthma attacks has decreased over the years, there are many who still require hospitalization for tracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation following a severe asthma attack. Therefore, we evaluated the characteristics of patients with asthma who required tracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation in our hospital. METHODS: We evaluated 20 patients who had severely exacerbated asthma, requiring tracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. An evaluation was made based on their smoking history, the number of days from the onset of the asthma attack to admission, the level of asthma control, treatments before presenting to our hospital, the frequency of hospital visits, the reason for tracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation, and outcome. RESULTS: Of the 20 patients with asthma 13 were men and 7 women, with a mean age of 48.7 years. The characteristics of patients who required tracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation were as follows: (1) smokers, (2) not taking or irregularly taking medication, (3) using inhaled short-acting beta(2)agonist (SABA) alone as needed, and (4) not using inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that treatment mainly using ICS, in addition to increased awareness of the dangers of asthma among the patients themselves, are important in preventing severe asthma attacks requiring tracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation.
Asunto(s)
Asma/terapia , Intubación Intratraqueal , Respiración Artificial , Corticoesteroides/administración & dosificación , Corticoesteroides/uso terapéutico , Agonistas Adrenérgicos beta/uso terapéutico , Adulto , Anciano , Atención Ambulatoria/estadística & datos numéricos , Asma/complicaciones , Asma/diagnóstico , Asma/mortalidad , Urgencias Médicas , Femenino , Humanos , Infecciones/complicaciones , Masculino , Cumplimiento de la Medicación/estadística & datos numéricos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Cooperación del Paciente/estadística & datos numéricos , Estudios Retrospectivos , Fumar/efectos adversos , Tiempo (Meteorología) , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
We report a case of pulmonary Mycobacterium abscessus (M. abscessus) infection with destructive growth in the entire right lung. The patient was 56-year-old woman who had had pulmonary tuberculosis at the age of 40 and had been diagnosed as having pulmonary Mycobacterium abscessus infection 4 years prior to admission at our hospital. Although various antibiotics were administered, persistent fever, hemoptysis and weight loss developed. After undergoing a right pneumonectomy, her clinical symptoms improved dramatically and sputum excretions of M. abscessus ceased. No relapse of the disease has been observed in the 2 years since surgery. Pneumonectomy was very effective for refractory M. abscessus infection that destroyed the right lung.
Asunto(s)
Infecciones por Mycobacterium no Tuberculosas/cirugía , Micobacterias no Tuberculosas/aislamiento & purificación , Neumonectomía/métodos , Tuberculosis Pulmonar/cirugía , Diagnóstico Diferencial , Femenino , Estudios de Seguimiento , Humanos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Infecciones por Mycobacterium no Tuberculosas/diagnóstico , Infecciones por Mycobacterium no Tuberculosas/microbiología , Tuberculosis Pulmonar/diagnóstico , Tuberculosis Pulmonar/microbiologíaRESUMEN
A 35-year-old woman underwent endometrial curettage for suspicion of miscarriage. A few minutes after intravenous injection of methylergometrin (0.2 mg) for inducing uterine contraction, blood gas analysis revealed severe hypoxemia. Chest CT showed diffuse ground-glass opacities in both lung fields and consolidation in the right lower lobe. Bronchoscopy revealed blood coagulation in the right bronchus intermedius. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid showed fresh blood-like fluid containing hemosiderin-laden macrophages. We diagnosed pulmonary alveolar hemorrhage associated with pulmonary edema. Although we analyzed the possible causes of alveolar hemorrhage such as pulmonary thromboembolism, collagen disease, ANCA-related angitis and malignant disease, there were no underlying systemic diseases. It seems likely that contraction of the blood vessels caused by methylergometrin caused the increased pulmonary arterial and wedge pressure which led to pulmonary edema and alveolar hemorrhage. We believe this is the first reported case of pulmonary alveolar hemorrhage caused by methylergometrin, confirmed by bronchoscopy.