Acute fibrinous and organizing pneumonia: A rare form of nonbacterial pneumonia

Abstract

Acute fibrinous and organizing pneumonia (AFOP) is a rare disease characterized by bilateral basilar infiltrates and histological findings of organizing pneumonia and intra-alveolar fibrin in the form of "fibrin balls." Here, we report a 43-year-old female with complaints of fever, dry cough, and shortness of breath with hypoxemia. High-resolution computed tomography thorax revealed diffuse confluent consolidation in bilateral lung zones. Bronchoscopy and transbronchial biopsy revealed features of AFOP. With prednisolone treatment, there was an improvement in her condition. AFOP is a rare disease and should be taken into consideration and differential diagnosis of severe acute pneumonias with no significant comorbidities.

Keywords: Acute fribinous; nonresolving pneumonia; organizing pneumonia; pneumonia.

Figure 1

(a) Axial and (b) cornal computed tomography through lungs: Geographical distribution of widespread consolidation with ground glass opacities and septal thickening in both lungs. (c) Axial computed tomography taken after 15 days after treatment: resolution of large component of organizing consolidation with residual ground glass opacities and mild septal thickening. (d and e) Intra-alveolar fibrin in the form of “Fibrin balls” without formation of hyaline membranes (H and E, ×100)