A case of pulmonary lymphoproliferative disorder presenting rapidly progressive respiratory failure

Abstract

A 72‐year‐old woman presented with acute onset of shortness of breath and fatigue over several days, and was found to be in acute respiratory failure. Computed tomography of the chest revealed diffuse ground‐glass opacities, crazy‐paving, multiple nodules, and a large mass in the right lower lobe. She was diagnosed with B‐cell lymphoma and a pulmonary lymphoproliferative disorder (PLD). PLD is known to present with a variety of radiographic patterns. The course of PLD is usually one of slow progression, and acute respiratory failure is a rare presentation. Physicians should be aware that acute respiratory failure can be caused by PLD.

Keywords

• Acute respiratory failure
• malignant lymphoma
• pulmonary lymphoproliferative disorders