Free-base cocaine use associated with bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia

[Pulmonary complications in cocaine users]

Cocaine can be responsible for many psychiatric and/or somatic disorders. The aim of this systematic literature review of data was to expose relations between cocaine use and pulmonary complications. Cocaine can be responsible for acute respiratory symptoms (cough, black sputum, hemoptysis, dyspnea, wheezing, chest pain) and for various pulmonary disorders including barotrauma (pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, subcutaneous emphysema, pneumopericardium), airway damage, asthma, bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia, acute pulmonary edema, alveolar hemorrhage, alveolar pneumonia with carbonaceous material, bullous emphysema, acute eosinophilic pneumonia, pulmonary granulomatosis caused by talc or cellulose, interstitial pneumonitis and pulmonary fibrosis, vasculitis, pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary embolism and pulmonary infarction, mycotic pulmonary arterial aneurysms, septic emboli, aspiration pneumonia, community-acquired pneumonia, HIV-related opportunistic infections, latent tuberculosis infection, pulmonary tuberculosis, lung cancer and crack lung. Some of these complications are serious and may have a fatal outcome. Pulmonary function tests, thoracic tomodensitometry, bronchial fibroscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage and lung scintigraphy may be an aid to the diagnosis of these pulmonary compications. Cocaine use must be sought in case of respiratory symptoms in young persons.

[Pneumomediastinum and cocaine use]

INTRODUCTION

In France, cocaine is the second most commonly used illicit drug after cannabis. It can be responsible for many respiratory disorders among which pneumomediastinum.

OBJECTIVES

Systematic literature review of data on pneumediastinum in cocaine users. Documentary sources. Medline, on the period 1980-2016 with the keywords "pneumomediastinum" and "cocaine" or "free-base" or "freebasing" or "crack"; limits "title/abstract"; the selected languages were English or French. Among 72 articles, 48 abstracts have given use to a dual reading to select 37 studies.

RESULTS

Thirty-five selected articles related 44 subjects (sex-ratio: 5.2) whose age ranged from 15 to 36 years. Fourteen subjects used cocaine nasally and 30 others smoked it (12 as free-base and 18 in the form of crack). Thirty-two subjects had an isolated pneumomediastinum and 12 others had a pneumomediastinum combined with other gaseous effusions (pneumothorax, pneumopericardium, pneumoperitoneum or pneumorachis). Chest pain of sudden onset in the most common symptom which is often associated with tightness or swelling of the neck; more rarely there are dyspnea and/or a dry cough. The time between taking cocaine and the onset of the symptoms varies from a few minutes to 3 days. The course is usually good with healing in 1 to 4 days.

CONCLUSION

Cocaine use may be responsible for spontaneous pneumomediastinum. Practitioners must seek cocaine use in case of pneumomediastinum in a young person and consider the diagnosis in the case of sudden chest pain in cocaine users; they must help them to stop their consumption.

High-resolution computed tomographic findings of cocaine-induced pulmonary disease: a state of the art review

Cocaine is the most commonly used illicit drug among patients presenting at hospital emergency departments and the most frequent cause of drug-related deaths reported by medical examiners. Various respiratory problems temporally associated with cocaine use have been reported. Acute and chronic uses also are responsible for lung complications, such as pulmonary edema, alveolar hemorrhage, pulmonary hypertension, organizing pneumonia, emphysema, barotrauma, infection, cancer, eosinophilic disease, and aspiration pneumonia. Although most imaging findings are nonspecific, they may raise suspicion of a cocaine-related etiology when considered together with patients' profiles and medical histories. This literature review describes cocaine-induced diseases with pulmonary involvement, with an emphasis on high-resolution chest computed tomographic findings and patterns.

Stimulants and the lung : review of literature

Illicit stimulants, such as cocaine, amphetamine, and their derivatives (e.g., "ecstasy"), continue to exact heavy toll on health care in both developed and developing countries. The US Department of Health and Human Service reported over one million illicit drug-related emergency department visits in 2010, which was higher than any of the six previous years. Both inhaled and intravenous forms of these substances of abuse can result in a variety of acute and chronic injuries to practically every part of the respiratory tract, leading potentially to permanent morbidities as well as fatal consequences--including but not limited to nasal septum perforation, pulmonary hypertension, pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, interstitial lung disease, alveolar hemorrhage, reactive airway disease, pulmonary edema, pulmonary granulomatosis, infections, foreign body aspiration, infections, bronchoconstriction, and thermal injuries. Stimulants are all rapidly absorbed substances that can also significantly alter the patient's systemic acid-base balance and central nervous system, thereby leading to further respiratory compromise. Mounting evidence in the past decade has demonstrated that adulterants coinhaled with these substances (e.g., levamisole) and the metabolites of these substances (e.g., cocaethylene) are associated with specific forms of systemic and respiratory complications as well. Recent studies have also demonstrated the effects of stimulants on autoimmune-mediated injuries of the respiratory tract, such as cocaine-induced midline destructive lesions. A persistent challenge to studies involving stimulant-associated respiratory toxidromes is the high prevalence of concomitant usage of various substances by drug abusers, including tobacco smoking. Now more than ever, health care providers must be familiar with the multitude of respiratory toxidromes as well as the diverse pathophysiology related to commonly abused stimulants to provide timely diagnosis and effective treatment.

Forensic Lung Pathology

Sudden and unexpected natural deaths and nonnatural deaths may result from various pulmonary conditions. Additionally, several nonpulmonary conditions of forensic significance may be complicated by the development of respiratory lesions. Certain situations with pulmonary pathology are particularly likely to be critically scrutinized and may form the basis of allegations of medical negligence, other personal injury liability, or wrongful death.1

Pulmonary complications from cocaine and cocaine-based substances: imaging manifestations

Cocaine is the illicit drug whose abuse most often results in cardiopulmonary symptoms and emergency treatment. Habitual smoking of alkaloidal cocaine ("freebase," "crack") has replaced nasal insufflation as the most common method of abuse. Smoking of cocaine exposes the lung directly to the volatilized drug as well as to the other combustion products of the smoked mixture, thereby increasing the risk of adverse pulmonary effects. A wide variety of pulmonary complications including interstitial pneumonitis, fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, alveolar hemorrhage, asthma exacerbation, barotrauma, thermal airway injury, hilar lymphadenopathies, and bullous emphysema may be associated with the inhalation of crack cocaine or of associated substances such as talc, silica, and lactose. Cocaine abuse represents one of the most serious medical and social problems of our time. Radiologists should be familiar with the various pleuropulmonary complications associated with the abuse of illicit drugs in general and of cocaine in particular to ensure correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment planning in patients with respiratory manifestations associated with such abuse.

Pulmonary complications of illicit drug use: differential diagnosis based on CT findings

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this manuscript is to summarize an approach to the differential diagnosis of the pulmonary complications of illicit drug use based on the computed tomography findings.

CONCLUSIONS

The various pulmonary complications of illicit drug use result in 5 main patterns of parenchymal abnormality: nodules, ground-glass opacities, consolidation, air trapping, and emphysema. Other thoracic manifestations of illicit drug use include pulmonary arterial hypertension, pneumomediastinum, bacterial endocarditis, discitis, and septic arthritis.

An overview of non-cardiac cocaine toxicity

Cocaine use in the United States continues to be a significant problem. Cocaine use is responsible for approximately 143,000 Emergency Department visits annually. The cardiac effects of cocaine are well known and much is written on this topic; this is beyond the scope of this article. Cocaine use is also responsible for a variety of non-cardiac, systemic complications, which it is our purpose to review. Multiple systemic effects of cocaine are seen with both acute and chronic use. These systems include: psychological and psychiatric, neurological, renal, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, obstetrical, and otolaryngological.

Pulmonary effects of illicit drug use

The lungs are at considerable risk from the use of injected or inhaled illicit drugs. The extent and clinical significance of illicit drug induced lung damage is not known completely. Drug use leads to an increase in infectious pulmonary disease, historically in relation to nonsterile injection techniques, and, more recently, in relation to HIV infection and its pulmonary manifestations. Barotrauma related to "smoking topography" or errant injections also represents a real risk of drug use. Although granulomatous disease that involves the pulmonary vasculature and interstitium is probably common in injection drug users, the clinical consequence of such is difficult to estimate. What effect smoked or injected illicit drugs have on short- and long-term pulmonary function also is hard to ascertain. The ubiquitous use of tobacco among users of illicit drugs certainly has confounding effects. Given that illicit drug use is common and that the "popular" drugs of abuse change from generation to generation, the pulmonary physician must remain informed about, and alert for, the effects of drugs of abuse.

Drug-induced bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia

Several medications have been associated with the development of the BOOP lesion. Often, symptoms include nonproductive cough and shortness of breath with bilateral crackles by examination. Occasionally, there is fever and rash, and, rarely, eosinophilia. The chest radiograph usually shows bilateral patchy infiltrates. In rare situations, the outcome is fatal, although cessation of the medication or treatment with corticosteroid therapy results in resolution of symptoms and radiographic abnormalities for most patients.

Pulmonary alterations in cocaine users

CONTEXT

Brazilian researchers have recently recognized a marked increase in the number of people using abusable drugs and the consequences of this habit. It has become a major public health problem in a potentially productive segment of the general population. In the last few years, several medical articles have given special emphasis to pulmonary complications related to cocaine use. This review is based on this information and experience acquired with groups of cocaine users.

OBJECTIVE

To present to physicians the pulmonary aspects of cocaine use and warn about the various effects this drug has on the respiratory system, stressing those related to long-term use.

DESIGN

Narrative review.

METHOD

Pulmonary complications are described. These may include infections (Staphylococcus aureus, pulmonary tuberculosis, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome/aids, etc.), aspiration pneumonia, lung abscess, empyema, septic embolism, non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema, barotrauma, pulmonary granulomotosis, branchiolitis obliterans and organizing pneumonia, pneumonitis and interstitial fibrosis, pneumonitis hypersensitivity, lung infiltrates and eosinophilia in individuals with branchial hyperreactivity, diffuse alveolar hemorrhage, vasculitis, pulmonary infarction, pulmonary hypertension and alterations in gas exchange. It is concluded that physicians should give special attention to the various pulmonary and clinical manifestations related to cocaine use, particularly in young patients.

The pathophysiology of cocaine abuse

Cocaine is a naturally occurring alkaloid that increases dopamine concentrations in the reward centers of the brain. There has been a marked increase in cocaine abuse over the last two decades. A neuropsychological stimulant, cocaine also reduces somnolence, increases alertness and improves concentration. However, cocaine abuse has many pathophysiological consequences. These fall broadly into four groups: pathology associated with a drug abusing lifestyle, pathology that occurs whilst intoxicated with (but not directly due to) the drug, pathology associated with drug administration and pathology resulting from pharmacological action of the drug. This review provides a detailed description of the physiological, pharmacological, and pathological effects of cocaine, and highlights the forensic and medicolegal implications of cocaine abuse.

Evidence of chronic damage to the pulmonary microcirculation in habitual users of alkaloidal ("crack") cocaine

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To evaluate BAL cells obtained from habitual users of alkaloidal ("crack") cocaine alone or in combination with tobacco, for evidence of cocaine-associated alveolar injury.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

PATIENTS

A total of 36 healthy men and women (mean age [SD], 37.5 [7.5] years), including 10 cocaine-only smokers (CS), 6 cocaine-plus-tobacco smokers (CTS), 10 tobacco smokers (TS), and 10 nonsmokers (NS), underwent fiberoptic bronchoscopy and BAL.

METHODS

Cytospins were prepared from BAL cells and stained with Wright-Giemsa for cell differentials and Gomori's stain for detection of hemosiderin. Endothelin (ET)-1 levels were determined from lavage fluid by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

None of the cocaine users reported episodes of hemoptysis or respiratory distress, and routine spirometry findings were within normal limits in all subjects. While there was little effect on total cell numbers or differential counts, the percentages of hemosiderin-positive alveolar macrophages (AMs) were markedly increased in CS (33.8 +/- 8.7% [SEM]) compared to TS and NS (< 2%; p < 0.05). The percentages of hemosiderin-laden AMs were also numerically increased in CTS (11.8 +/- 7.8%), but this value was not statistically significant from that of TS or NS. ET-1 levels were significantly increased in the fluid recovered from CS (6.2 +/- 0.8 pg/mL) when compared to NS (1.2 +/- 0.4 pg/mL) and TS (1.3 +/- 0.2 pg/mL) [p < 0.05], while ET-1 levels were elevated to a lesser extent in CTS (2.5 +/- 0.6 pg/mL). ET-1 levels correlated with the percentage of hemosiderin-positive AMs when CS were analyzed in conjunction with CTS (r = 0.64; p = 0.0004).

CONCLUSION

Clinically inapparent alveolar hemorrhage occurs frequently in otherwise healthy crack cocaine smokers and is associated with elevated levels of ET-1, indicative of cocaine-induced pulmonary microvascular injury.

Airway effects of marijuana, cocaine, and other inhaled illicit agents

Several substances besides tobacco are inhaled for recreational purposes, including marijuana, crack cocaine, amyl and butyl nitrites, heroin, methamphetamine, and phencyclidine. Abuse of most of these inhaled substances has risen in recent years, thereby increasing concern about potential pulmonary and other medical complications. Regular marijuana use can lead to extensive airway injury and alterations in the structure and function of alveolar macrophages, potentially predisposing to pulmonary infection and respiratory cancer. Crack cocaine use can lead to a variety of acute pulmonary complications, including severe exacerbations of asthma and an acute lung injury syndrome associated with a broad spectrum of histopathologic changes ("crack lung"). Habitual cocaine smoking may also produce more subtle long-term pulmonary consequences due to chronic alveolar epithelial and microvascular lung injury. Heroin inhalation can induce severe and even fatal exacerbations of asthma. Pulmonary consequences of inhaled amyl and butyl nitrites, crystalline methamphetamine (ice), and phencyclidine have been less well documented.

The role of recreational drugs in trauma

The association of trauma with illicit/recreational drugs is being increasingly recognized but is difficult to quantify. Significant amounts of these substances are readily available and may be taken alone, in combination with other drugs or with alcohol. The acute and chronic effects of these drugs result in numerous difficulties in management. Health-care workers involved in the treatment of trauma must have a high index of suspicion for the presence of drugs and a detailed knowledge of their effects. In this article we will review the scale of the problem, the common drugs abused and their effects, and we will discuss guidelines for management.

Drug-induced respiratory disorders: incidence, prevention and management

Various drugs are associated with adverse respiratory disorders (ARDs) ranging in severity from mild, moderate to severe and even fatal. Cardioselective and nonselective beta-blockers, calcium antagonists and dipyridamole can induce asthma. ACE inhibitors are mainly associated with cough. Amiodarone is related to a form of interstitial pneumonitis (IP) which can be fatal, tocainidine and flecainidine to a form of IP, and hydrochlorothiazide to a form of IP and pulmonary oedema. Antiasthmatic drugs can be associated with a paradoxical bronchospasm, while leukotriene antagonists are linked to the development of Churg-Strauss syndrome. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs including aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) may induce asthma. Gold is mainly related to IP, penicillamine to IP, systemic lupus erythematosus, bronchiolitis obliterans, and Goodpasture's syndrome. Acute respiratory reactions to nitrofurantoin include dyspnoea, cough, IP, and pleural effusion while IP and fibrosis are common in chronic reactions. Other antibacterials mainly evoke pneumonitis, pulmonary infiltrates and eosinophilia, and bronchiolitis obliterans. ARDs are similar for most categories of cytotoxic agents, with chronic pneumonitis and fibrosis being the most common. Noncardiogenic pulmonary oedema occurs as the most common respiratory complication in opioid agonist addiction. Psychotropic drugs such as phenothiazides, butyrophenones and tricyclic antidepressants can also induce pulmonary oedema. Oral contraceptives may produce asthma exacerbation, while long term use and/or high doses of postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy increase the risk of asthma. Bromocriptine is mainly associated with pleural effusion, while methysergide is usually associated with pleural effusion and fibrosis. Some anorectic agents have been linked to the development of primary pulmonary hypertension. The possibility of the occurrence of ARDs should be taken into account in each individual patient. Although in most cases the adverse effects are unpredictable, they can be reduced to a minimum or prevented if some drugs are avoided or stopped in time.

Recreational drugs

The war against substance abuse continues in today's society and the sports world often seems to be in the middle of all the attention, especially among the media. New recreational drugs arrive on the scene from time to time, much like GHB, but the predominant substances of abuse continue to be marijuana, cocaine, and alcohol. As research evolves in efforts to stay current and determine any potential performance effects of new substances, the literature has changed very little regarding the more common recreational drug and their effects on athletic participation. New studies are emerging comparing recreational drug use among athletes versus nonathletes. Findings include differences among these groups regarding individual sports, team sports, contact versus noncontact sports, and gender-specific sports. Higher risk-taking behavior contribute to these findings and is known to be more prevalent among an athletic population. Overall, illicit drug use in America in 1996 remained about the same as in 1995 after rising steadily since the early 1990s. About 13 million Americans used drugs at least monthly in 1996, up slightly from 12.8 million in 1995. Teenage drug and alcohol use fell to 9% in 1996, down from 10.9% in 1995. Attempts to recognize the early signs of substance abuse and identify those athletes "at risk" of experimenting with elicit drugs are paramount to the optimal treatment response program. The preparticipation examination remains the best initial format for establishing a sound physician-patient relationship. A thorough history including risk factors, family history, and personnel tendencies toward substance abuse should be obtained followed by an ongoing relationship between the athlete and his team physician. The better rapport between the athlete and team physician, the higher likelihood of early recognition of a developing substance abuse problem. Likewise, the earliest intervention usually leads to the most optimal treatment response.

Bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia and cold agglutinin disease associated with phenytoin hypersensitivity syndrome

Phenytoin hypersensitivity syndrome (PHS) is a rare delayed hypersensitivity reaction which occurs following exposure to phenytoin sodium. Pulmonary involvement is uncommonly described. Herein is reported the first case of histopathologic bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP) found on open-lung biopsy in a patient with severe PHS. New onset, clinically significant, cold agglutinin disease was also documented. Hemodynamic parameters mimicking sepsis were present in the absence of significant clinical infection. Rapid, dramatic improvement followed high-dose steroid therapy.

Cocaine: pathophysiology and clinical toxicology

PURPOSE

To review the medical complications of cocaine abuse and the mechanisms of action of cocaine that contribute to medical complications.

DATA SOURCES

Pertinent articles identified through a MEDLINE search of the English-language literature from 1985 to 1996 and through a manual search of bibliographies of all identified articles.

STUDY SELECTION

All articles describing complications of cocaine use including case reports, small reported series, and review articles.

DATA SYNTHESIS

A qualitative description of reported complications.

RESULTS

Since the introduction of freebase and crack cocaine, multiple medical complications have been observed, and all major body organ systems have been affected. Cocaine can cause acute strokes, myocardial infarction, cardiac dysrhythmias, pulmonary edema, rhabdomyolysis, and acute renal failure.

CONCLUSION

Adverse reactions to cocaine should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute ischemic events that occur in young adults. General awareness of the significant complications of cocaine will facilitate early diagnosis and prompt treatment.

Effects of 'crack' cocaine on pulmonary alveolar permeability

BACKGROUND

Lung clearance of 99mTc-labeled diethylenetriamine pentaacetate (DTPA) is a sensitive test of altered alveolar epithelial permeability that has been found to be increased in smokers of tobacco, as well as a small number of healthy smokers of crack cocaine, suggesting the possibility of subclinical crack-related lung injury.

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To evaluate further whether habitual smoking of cocaine alone alters alveolar permeability, whether crack smoking adds to or potentiates the effects of tobacco and/or marijuana, and whether experimental cocaine smoking acutely alters DTPA lung clearance.

DESIGN

Observational cohort study (habitual cocaine smoking) and single-blind crossover study (experimental cocaine administration).

SUBJECTS

Fourteen habitual smokers of cocaine alone (CS), 19 smokers of cocaine and tobacco (CTS), 3 smokers of cocaine and marijuana, 12 smokers of cocaine, tobacco, and marijuana (CMTS), and 5 smokers of marijuana plus tobacco (MTS). Results obtained in the crack-smoking subjects were compared with data previously obtained in 10 nonsmokers (NS), 9 smokers of tobacco alone (TS), 10 smokers of marijuana alone (MS), and 4 additional MTS.

METHODS

Subjects underwent measurements of DTPA radioaerosol lung clearance after refraining from marijuana and/or cocaine for > 12 h and from tobacco for >2 h. Ten of the 48 crack users were tested on two days 1 to 2 weeks apart within 2 h of experimental smoking of three physiologically active or inactive doses (total 98.8+/-15.5 or 8.5+/-2.5 mg, respectively) of cocaine base. Lung clearance half-times (T1/2) were computed from time-activity curves for each lung.

RESULTS

T1/2 values for each lung in CS and MS were comparable to those of NS, while TS, MTS, CTS, and CMTS had significantly shorter clearance rates than NS (p<0.01; three-way analysis of variance). No additive or interactive effects on T1/2 were noted among tobacco, cocaine, and/or marijuana. No acute effect of experimental cocaine smoking on T1/2 was noted.

CONCLUSION

Whereas regular smoking of tobacco alone or with other substances increases alveolar epithelial permeability, habitual smoking of cocaine and/or marijuana has no measurable effect on alveolar permeability in the absence of tobacco nor any additive effect to that of tobacco alone.

Cyclophosphamide in severe steroid-resistant bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia

A patient receiving carbamazepine and imipramine presented with severe bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP). He developed progressive respiratory failure in spite of high-dose steroid treatment. Cyclophosphamide was given as adjunctive therapy, and a rapid improvement was seen. The authors suggest that an early therapeutic trial of cyclophosphamide should be considered in patients with BOOP who fail to respond to steroids.

Bronchiolitis obliterans in a patient with HIV infection

Bronchiolitis obliterans, with or without organizing pneumonia, represents an uncommon response of the lung to several injuries, that results in characteristic histopathologic changes in the small airways. The present case report describes a patient with HIV infection who developed bronchiolitis obliterans, and reviews the previously reported cases of this condition in HIV-infected patients.

HIV in illicit drug users

Illicit drug users comprise a substantial and growing proportion of the HIV-infected population. Although they develop pulmonary complications common to all HIV transmission groups, they also have unique respiratory illnesses due to the direct effect of the illicit drugs on the lung. Bacterial infections, tuberculosis, and noninfectious complications all have a major effect on morbidity and mortality in this portion of the HIV-infected population.

Bronchiolitis obliterans organising pneumonia: a clinical and radiological review

BACKGROUND

The clinical presentation, course, and radiological spectrum of bronchiolitis obliterans organising pneumonia (BOOP) is still being characterised to aid differentiation from other causes of organising pneumonia.

AIMS

To define the clinical presentation, response to therapy, and radiological spectrum of BOOP.

METHODS

Fifteen cases of BOOP were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical presenting features, treatment and outcome of each patient were determined. Three independent readers and chest X-rays (CXRs) were blinded. CXRs were scored by a semi-quantitative method. Modal scores were calculated for type and profusion of opacification of each CXR.

RESULTS

The mean age of presentation was 64 years and the median duration of follow-up was 12.5 months. Thirteen patients received corticosteroid therapy. Outcome was varied. One patient had progressive loss of lung function, five had persisting symptoms with stable abnormal lung function, and nine were asymptomatic with near normal lung function. Five patients had a disease relapse. Symptoms length prior to presentation, duration and intensity of treatment were not associated with outcome (p = 0.23-0.9). Radiological opacities were alveolar in 73%, large localised infiltrates in 13%, nodular in 20% and mobile in 33% of CXR series. There was no relationship between overall profusion, type of CXR opacities and patient outcome, treatment duration or treatment intensity (p = 0.42-1.0).

CONCLUSIONS

The clinical spectrum of BOOP includes mild subacute, chronic progressive, and acute life threatening illness. Prognosis and response to treatment is variable. The diversity of radiological findings and clinical presentations should prompt consideration of the diagnosis in patients with undiagnosed respiratory tract symptoms and persisting or varying radiological abnormalities.

[3 nonidiopathic forms of bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia]

Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia is the most serious disease of the bronchioli. An idiopathic form of the disease important for differential diagnosis in incipient forms of pulmonary fibrosis has been reported in the literature, along with other forms associated to drug use, infections, and collagen and localized diseases. We describe 3 patients with bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia, one associated with rheumatoid arthritis and consumption of gold salts, one with HIV infection and one localized form associated with pulmonary hydatidosis.

Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia caused by Plasmodium vivax malaria

A 64-year-old woman developed a relapse of Plasmodium vivax malaria followed by a rapidly progressive diffuse patchy pulmonary process. Open lung biopsy specimen showed bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP). After corticosteroid therapy was initiated, there was both clinical and radiographic improvement. This is believed to be the first reported association of BOOP with malaria.

Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia associated with systemic lupus erythematosus

Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP) is a pathologic entity characterized by the formation of plugs of fibrous tissue in bronchioles and alveolar ducts. It has been described in association with several connective tissue diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, polymyositis-dermatomyositis, and mixed connective tissue disease. Well-documented reports of BOOP in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are limited. We report two patients with SLE who presented with subacute respiratory illnesses due to BOOP, adding further strength to the association of this entity with SLE.

Smoked cocaine: patterns of use and pulmonary consequences

This article offers a perspective on the use of volatilized alkaloidal cocaine in its freebase and crack forms and on the pulmonary consequences of such use. The inhalational route of administration of freebase and crack cocaine exposes the lung to their combustion products, raising concern about possible adverse pulmonary effects. A brief historical review of cocaine and its methods of use precedes the presentation of data concerning current modes and patterns of use and some pulmonary complications of crack and freebase use. Results from a systematic study of a large sample of cocaine users document a high frequency of occurrence of acute respiratory symptoms in temporal association with cocaine smoking. No relationship was detected between the prevalence of acute pulmonary symptoms and identifiable aspects of techniques of cocaine administration. These results suggest that the respiratory consequences of alkaloidal cocaine are most likely attributable to the inhaled cocaine itself, rather than to variable characteristics of usage.

Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia: definition and clinical features

There are several bronchiolar diseases with different pathologic and clinical findings. Idiopathic BOOP is a distinct entity consisting of a flu-like illness, late inspiratory crackles, patchy infiltrates roentgenographically, and physiologically decreased vital capacity and diffusing capacity. Response to corticosteroid therapy is good and relapse does not occur if sufficient therapy is given. Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia is an appropriate description of this entity. The term is specific because it includes bronchioles and alveoli and excludes disorders involving only alveoli such as organizing pneumonitis or organizing diffuse alveolar damage. The term is general enough to include a sufficient number of patients with a homogenous disorder. Furthermore, the entity can be described to clinicians and pathologists throughout the world in such a fashion that patient care and research can be standardized. Researchers from different centers studying the cause or utilizing treatment protocols are able to discuss a single BOOP entity rather than comparing results of a heterogeneous group of many different types of interstitial lung disorders. This will lead to breakthroughs in discovery of etiologic causes and new effective therapeutic regimens.

Pulmonary complications from alveolar accumulation of carbonaceous material in a cocaine smoker

A 27-year-old woman presented with cough, fever, and pulmonary infiltrates after heavy cocaine smoking. Large amounts of carbonaceous material and pigment-laden macrophages were recovered by bronchoalveolar lavage. Alveolar deposition of particulate matter from heavy cocaine smoking has not been previously reported and may have been the cause of this patient's symptoms and abnormal findings on chest radiograph.

Respiratory complications of cocaine abuse

Upper respiratory and pulmonary complications of cocaine addiction have been increasingly reported in recent years, with most of the patients being intravenous addicts, users of freebase, or smokers of "crack." The toxicity of cocaine is complex and is exerted via multiple central and peripheral pathways. Recurrent snorting of cocaine may result in ischemia, necrosis, and infections of the nasal mucosa, sinuses, and adjacent structures. Pulmonary complications of cocaine toxicity include pulmonary edema, pulmonary hemorrhages, pulmonary barotrauma, foreign body granulomas, cocaine related pulmonary infection, obliterative bronchiolitis, asthma, and persistent gas-exchange abnormalities. Respiratory manifestations are nonspecific and include shortness of breath, cough, wheezing, hemoptysis, and chest pains. Severe respiratory difficulties have been reported in neonates of abusing mothers. In the absence of a cocaine-abuse history, it may be difficult to recognize the etiological role of cocaine, especially in the absence of needle tracks pointing to previous intravenous drug abuse and/or negative toxicology.