Journal List > J Korean Endocr Soc > v.22(3) > 1003363

Sun, Kim, Lee, Lee, Kim, Kim, Cho, Ko, Kim, Kim, Song, and Ahn: A Case of Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody (ANCA) Positive, Propylthiouracil-Induced Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage in Graves' Disease

Abstract

Graves' disease is one of the common autoimmune diseases, and it has been controlled by such antithyroid drugs as propylthiouracil (PTU) or methimazole. There are a number of side effects, including agranulocytosis, skin rash, hepatotoxicity, fever, arthralgia and a lupus-like syndrome during treatment. PTU has been recently observed to be associated with the development of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) positive vasculitis, and this can cause diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. A 32-year-old woman with Graves' disease had been treated with PTU for 4 years, and she had experienced intermittent hemoptysis for 2 weeks before she visited the hospital. Both myeloperoxidase and proteinase 3 ANCA were positive without other organ systems being involved. She was diagnosed with PTU-induced vasculitis. Cessation of PTU and administration of corticosteroids improved the clinical manifestations.

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1
A. Initial chest X-ray. Showing diffuse infiltrations in right middle lung field. B. Follow-up chest X-ray. Showing normal lung fields after treatment.
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Fig. 2
A. Initial HRCT. Showing diffuse ground glass opacity in right middle lung. B. Follow-up HRCT. Showing improvement of ground glass opacity in right midde lung.
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Fig. 3
Bronchoscopy. Showing normal findings.
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