Int J Angiol 2010; 19(1): e51-e53
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1278364
Case Report

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Adverse effect of low-dose amiodarone mimicking pulmonary malignancy

Hsiao-Ching Cheng1 , Jao-Hsien Wang1 , Ming-Long Wang2 , Ming-Tse Sung3 , Shoa-Lin Lin4 , Tahir Tak5
  • 1Department of Medicine, Jiannren Hospital, Taiwan, Republic of China
  • 2Department of Radiology, Jiannren Hospital, Taiwan, Republic of China
  • 3Department of Pathology, Gang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, Republic of China
  • 4Division of Cardiology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung City, National Yang-Ming University, School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
  • 5Department of Cardiology, Franciscan Skemp Healthcare – Mayo Health System, La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA
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Publikationsverlauf

Publikationsdatum:
28. April 2011 (online)

Abstract

A 74-year-old woman presented with a one-week history of persistent cough. A chest x-ray and computed tomography images revealed features mimicking lung cancer, which included a large solitary consolidation and hilar lymphadenopathy. She had received low-dose amiodarone (200 mg/day) for treatment of atrial fibrillation for more than 2.5 years. The tumour-like abnormalities did not disappear until the discontinuation of amiodarone therapy. The finding of low-dose amiodarone causing tumour-like abnormalities on a chest x-ray is unique. Once amiodarone-induced tumour-like changes are diagnosed, therapeutic options are limited. In most cases, the tumour-like changes are reversible, if diagnosed early. An unusual case involving amiodarone induced pulmonary abnormalities is reported, followed by a review of the relevant literature.