[Lymphomatoid granulomatosis--remission induction with interferon-alpha 2b].

METHODS

A 72-year-old woman was admitted to hospital because of nonproductive cough, acrodistal sensorimotor axonal polyneuropathy, fatigue and 10 kg weight loss over the preceding 9 months.

METHODS

Chest radiogram showed multiple round foci in both lungs. No organs other than the lungs and the peripheral nervous system were affected. Open lung biopsy revealed a pleomorphic angioinvasive lymphocytic infiltrations.

METHODS

The findings indicated lymphomatoid granulomatosis (LG). Wegener granulomatosis was excluded on the basis of the clinical, serological and histopathological findings. Treatment with alpha-interferon (IFN-alpha) produced complete remission within 4 months. Interruption of treatment immediately resulted in a recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Together with previously reported cases this patient's response to IFN-alpha suggests that IFN-alpha is a less toxic alternative to cyclophosphamide and corticosteroid administration in the early stages of LG.