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[The so-called pituitary snuff-taker's lung. A case contribution].
D Krumhaar1, M Urban, E Stempinski
1Lungenklinik Havelhöhe, Berlin.
Deutsche Medizinische Wochenschrift (1946)
|May 27, 1988
Summary
A patient developed exogenous-allergic alveolitis from desmopressin nasal spray used for diabetes insipidus. Switching to an injectable form and adding steroids resolved the lung condition.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Diabetes insipidus is a condition characterized by excessive thirst and urination.
- Desmopressin is a synthetic analog of vasopressin used to treat diabetes insipidus.
Observation:
- A 37-year-old woman with diabetes insipidus developed fatigue, sweating, cough, and dyspnea after starting desmopressin nasal spray.
- Diagnostic workup including imaging, lung function tests, and biopsy confirmed exogenous-allergic alveolitis.
Findings:
- The patient's symptoms and lung abnormalities were attributed to desmopressin-induced hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
- Cessation of nasal desmopressin and initiation of intramuscular desmopressin and corticosteroid therapy led to rapid clinical improvement.
Implications:
- This case highlights a rare but serious adverse effect of desmopressin nasal spray.
- Clinicians should consider drug-induced lung disease in patients presenting with respiratory symptoms while on desmopressin.
- Alternative desmopressin formulations or treatments may be necessary for patients developing hypersensitivity reactions.