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Updated: May 30, 2026

Imaging Features of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
Published on: June 16, 2020
Interstitial pneumonitis in a patient with chronic hepatitis C and chronic renal failure on interferon therapy
Eun Jung Kang1, Dong Kyun Kim, Seong Ran Jeon
1Institute for Digestive Research, Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Abstract:
After 4-months of alpha interferon (IFN-α), a 64-year old woman with chronic hepatitis C developed a cough and dyspnea and showed diffuse infiltrative opacities on her chest X-ray. Her symptoms persisted after stopping the IFN-α therapy. Pulmonary function testing revealed a reduced forced vital capacity. High-resolution computed tomography of the lung showed peripheral and peribronchovascular ground glass attenuation and consolidation associated with reticulation. Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed for further evaluation and showed a lymphocyte level of 8.2%, an uncommon finding in IFN-α-induced interstitial pneumonitis. We performed a lung biopsy to diagnose her disease and it suggested interstitial pneumonitis. This was considered to be due to the immunomodulatory effects of INF-α. Although rare, any sign of significant pulmonary involvement should be evaluated.
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