Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 17, 2026
Imaging Features of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
Published on: June 16, 2020
Organizing Pneumonia in a Patient with Quiescent Crohn's Disease
Satoshi Tanida1, Masaya Takemura2, Tsutomu Mizoshita1
1Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture 467-8601, Japan.
Abstract:
A 64-year-old man with Crohn's disease (CD) was admitted to our hospital due to moderate risk of pneumonia while receiving scheduled adalimumab maintenance therapy. Symptoms remained virtually unchanged following administration of antibiotics. A final diagnosis of organizing pneumonia (OP) was made based on findings of intra-alveolar buds of granulation tissue and fibrous thickening of the alveolar walls on pathological examination and patchy consolidations and ground glass opacities on computed tomography. Immediate administration of prednisolone provided rapid, sustained improvement. Although a rare complication, OP is a pulmonary manifestation that requires attention in CD patients.
Insights
Organizing pneumonia (OP) is a rare lung complication in Crohn's disease (CD) patients. Early steroid treatment, not antibiotics, effectively resolved OP symptoms in a CD patient on adalimumab therapy.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Gastroenterology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory condition.
- Adalimumab is a common biologic therapy for CD.
- Pulmonary complications can occur in CD patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of organizing pneumonia (OP) in a CD patient.
- To highlight the diagnostic challenges and treatment of OP in this context.
- To emphasize the importance of recognizing OP as a potential CD complication.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a 64-year-old male CD patient.
- Clinical presentation, diagnostic imaging (CT scan), and pathological examination.
- Treatment with antibiotics followed by corticosteroids (prednisolone).
Main Results:
- The patient presented with pneumonia symptoms unresponsive to antibiotics.
- Diagnosis of organizing pneumonia was confirmed pathologically and radiographically.
- Rapid and sustained improvement was observed after initiating prednisolone treatment.
Conclusions:
- Organizing pneumonia is a rare but significant pulmonary manifestation in Crohn's disease patients.
- Prompt diagnosis and corticosteroid therapy are crucial for managing OP in CD.
- Pulmonary surveillance may be warranted in CD patients presenting with respiratory symptoms.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention
The nurse must practice strict medical asepsis and adhere to infection control guidelines to minimize healthcare-associated infections.
Enhance airway patency
Position the patient correctly to facilitate drainage of the affected lung segments. Manual or mechanical percussion and vibration can also be employed....
01:30Pneumonia I: Introduction
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
01:29Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by...
01:29Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-V: Management
Smoking Cessation
01:30Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-V: Nursing Management
Assessment