류마티스 관절염 환자에서 Methotrexate에 의해 발생한 간질성 폐렴 1예

A Case of Methotrexate Induced Pneumonitis in a Patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis

저자들은 급성호흡곤란을 주소로 내원한 류마티스 관절염 환자에서 임상소견과 흉부 방사선소견, 기관지폐포세척액 및 경기관지폐생검을 통해 methotrexate에 의한 간질성 폐렴 1예를 진단하였기에 문헌 고찰과 함께 보고하는 바이다.

Methotrexate is commonly used in rheumatoid arthritis as an anti-inflammatory agent, but treatment with methotrexate can lead to severe side effects, especially pulmonary complication. Interstitial pneumonitis is one of the most important pulmonary adverse effects of methotrexate and most patient present with a subacute febrile illness and peripheral eosinophilia is seen in about a half of patients. Almost all patients have abnormal chest roentgenograms and bibasilar interstitial infiltration with alveolar pulmonary consolidations is the most characteristic finding. Interstitial inflammation with mononuclear cell infiltration is a characteristic pathologic feature and findings that suggest acute hypersensitivity pneumonitis, such as bronchiolitis, granuloma formation with giant cells, and infiltration with eosinophils are often present. Methotrexate-induced pneumonitis is a potentially life threatening and unpredictable complication but it is difficult to make a definite diagnosis in the absence of high index of clinical suspicion. Early recognition and appropriate management may avoid the serious outcome. Herein we report a case of methotrexate-induced pneumonitis in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis.