Patient selection: continuous intravenous infusion of deferoxamine mesylate
Onset 5 to 10 days after starting the infusion
Clinical findings:
(1) tachypnea
(2) hypoxemia
(3) restrictive pulmonary function pattern
(4) potentially respiratory failure
Imaging studies:
(1) diffuse interstitial pattern
Lung biopsy:
(1) diffuse alveolar damage
(2) interstitial inflammation with eosinophils, mast cells and lymphocytes
(3) interstitial fibrosis
The diagnosis is supported by:
(1) exclusion of other causes (pulmonary hypertension, infection, etc)
(2) resolution upon discontinuation of the infusion (although this may take time)
(3) relapse on re-exposure
(4) The condition is reported to be dose-dependent.
