[Amiodarone-induced segmental lung infiltration. Radiologic and computed tomographic aspects]

Due to pulmonary toxicity, segmental lung consolidation or diffuse interstitial pulmonary infiltrations can occur during long-term treatment of ventricular tachycardia with amiodarone (Cordarex). These infiltrations can be confused with other infectious pneumonic consolidations, dystelectasia or tumorous lung disease, and may be erroneously treated as such. Apart from the clinical symptoms (dyspnea, non-productive cough, low-grade fever), the earliest radiographic signs are segmental infiltrates or diffuse interstitial lung opacifications. Pathological pulmonary function tests can only be observed in the early stages of the diffuse alveolar-fibrosing form of the disease. In this case study of amiodarone-induced segmental pulmonary infiltration, the radiological and computer-tomographic aspects are discussed, along with other complementary diagnostic procedures such as gallium scintigraphy and bronchoscopic biopsy.