A case of giant cell interstitial pneumonia

This report is of a case of giant cell interstitial pneumonia (GIP) diagnosed by transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) and treated effectively with corticosteroid. The patient was a 61-year-old man with cough, dyspnea and findings of diffuse reticular opacities on chest X-ray. In the microscopic section of a biopsied specimen, varied forms of giant cells were observed, some with a cannibalistic appearance. Numerous giant cells and some lymphocytes were also observed in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. The possibility of measles pneumonia was ruled out by a negative serum antibody test and the absence of inclusion bodies in the giant cells. The patient had neither a past history of exposure to heavy metals nor to organic dusts. A distinct improvement was obtained with 30 mg of prednisolone administered daily for two weeks and then tapered off gradually.