[Clinical case of the month. Carrington's disease: idiopathic chronic eosinophilic pneumonia]

Rev Med Liege. 2014 Mar;69(3):126-31.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Idiopathic Chronic Eosinophilic Pneumonia (ICEP) or Carrington's disease is a rare disease, exclusively pulmonary, and of an unknown origin. Connective tissues of the lungs are infiltrated by eosinophilic cell elements. This illness is progressive, consisting of dyspnea, cough and thoracic pain. In addition, the general condition is impaired. The average delay between onset of symptoms and discovery of chest radiographic opacities is often longer than 3-4 months. Symptoms and chest X-ray quickly improve under corticosteroid treatment. In the future, new research could lead to alternative treatments. We report the case of a woman with ICEP. We shall discuss the diagnostic approach, envisage the potential complications and describe the treatment of the disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Methylprednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Middle Aged
  • Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity
  • Pulmonary Eosinophilia / diagnosis*
  • Pulmonary Eosinophilia / drug therapy
  • Radiography, Thoracic

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Methylprednisolone

Supplementary concepts

  • Carrington syndrome