An acute pulmonary syndrome possibly representing acute graft-versus-host disease involving the lung interstitium

An acute pulmonary syndrome possibly representing acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) involving lung interstitium occurred in a patient given an allogeneic bone marrow transplant for haematological malignancy. He presented at day 34 with acute GVHD of skin and bowel, and this was associated with cough, dyspnoea and an asymmetrical change on chest X-ray. Lung biopsy demonstrated an interstitial and peribronchial lymphocytic infiltrate and acute bronchial epithelial degeneration. He responded symptomatically to high dose intravenous methylprednisolone. The radiological change resolved completely. This case, thought to represent GVHD involving lung interstitium, emphasizes the need for tissue procurement in the management of non-bacterial lung disease after marrow transplantation.