Hypersensitivity pneumonitis from home mist machine after laryngectomy

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis is an unusual complication of using humidification devices. It is characterized by the acute onset of dyspnea, cough, fever, and chills after exposure to an offending antigen. This report describes a 54-year-old female laryngectomee who had repeated hospitalizations for postoperative dyspnea with normal chest roentgenograms and sputum cultures, but findings and history consistent with acute hypersensitivity pneumonitis. This seems to be the first reported case of hypersensitivity pneumonitis in a laryngectomee using a home mist machine. When repeated episodes of dyspnea occur in such patients, hypersensitivity pneumonitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis.