Pulmonary hemorrhage in cryoglobulinemia

Abstract

Pulmonary manifestations of cryoglobulinemia are uncommon and their clinical behaviour is unpredictable, ranging from mild dyspnea to life-threatening presentations. A patient with cryoglobulinemia who presented with hypoxic respiratory failure attributed to pulmonary hemorrhage is reported.

Figure 1)

Photograph of the patient’s purpuric rash involving her abdomen

Figure 2)

Photograph of the patient’s hands displaying petechiae involving the nailbed

Figure 3)

A and B Computed tomography scan of the chest revealing evidence of pulmonary hemorrhage

Figure 4)

Bronchial washings from the patient’s bronchial alveolar lavage displaying sequential bloody returns with the first washing on the left and second on the right