Corticosteroids and serious cytarabine-induced pulmonary edema

A woman with acute leukemia receiving induction chemotherapy with conventional doses of cytarabine (ARA-C) 200 mg/m2/day and daunorubicin 45 mg/m2/day developed acute respiratory distress syndrome. Respiratory failure was attributed to ARA-C primarily by exclusion and radiographic findings. She was weaned rapidly from the ventilator after receiving steroid therapy.