[A case of chronic eosinophilic pneumonia with a subpleural curvilinear shadow]

A 72-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital on May 7, 1990. She had suffered from dyspnea since April and complained of a continuing cough, sputum, and wheezing. A chest roentgenogram revealed bilateral, diffuse infiltration shadows, mainly in the outer zones. A considerable increase in the number of eosinophils was seen in samples of blood and of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Chest computed tomography showed a subpleural band-shaped infiltration shadow that was separated from normal lung fields by a subpleural curvilinear shadow. Examination of the specimen taken during open lung biopsy showed considerable eosinophil and lymphocyte infiltration, mainly in alveolar septa. No other abnormality was seen in the alveoli and there was no vasculitis or bronchiolitis. Therefore, we diagnosed this condition as chronic eosinophilic pneumonia. In addition, we discuss the subpleural curvilinear shadow.