[Pulmonary infiltrates in haematological patients]

Pulmonary complications are frequent in haematologic patients.

This review article summarizes the outcome of a discussion that took place during an expert meeting on the subject of pulmonary infiltrates.

The most common causes of pulmonary infiltrates in haematologic patients are bacterial infections. Viral infections are subject to relevant seasonal variations, but they may also cause an important proportion of pulmonary infiltrates. Microbiological examination of respiratory tract material (if possible, bronchoalveolar lavage, BAL) is the most important diagnostic procedure. Particularly in the case of prolonged (> 7 days) neutropenia, the likelihood of infiltrates being caused by fungal infections increases. For a differential diagnosis, however, also non-infectious causes, e.g. drug-induced infiltrates, have to be taken into consideration. The diagnostic workup, however, should not delay a timely start of an adequate antimicrobial therapy.