Granulomatous Lymphocytic Interstitial Lung Disease in Multiple Myeloma

Intern Med. 2023 Feb 1;62(3):439-444. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.9758-22. Epub 2022 Jul 14.

Abstract

An 82-year-old woman complained of recurring cough and shortness of breath and was diagnosed with progressive multiple myeloma (MM). Chest computed tomography (CT) revealed bilateral ground-glass opacity and interlobular septal thickening predominantly in the lower lung zones. Histopathologic findings obtained by a transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC) revealed alveolitis and granulomas consistent with granulomatous-lymphocytic interstitial lung disease (GLILD). Aggressive chemotherapy for MM contributed to the improvement in respiratory symptoms and abnormal chest CT findings. In cases of MM with lung abnormalities, the possibility of GLILD must be ruled out, and a TBLC should be considered to attain an accurate diagnosis.

Keywords: computed tomography; granulomatous lymphocytic interstitial lung disease; multiple myeloma; transbronchial lung cryobiopsy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Biopsy / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung / pathology
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial* / complications
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial* / diagnostic imaging
  • Multiple Myeloma* / diagnosis
  • Multiple Myeloma* / diagnostic imaging
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / pathology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods