[Diagnosis of Churg-Strauss syndorme with trans-bronchial lung biopsy]

A 69-year-old woman was hospitalized several times because of asthma attacks. Laboratory data revealed an increase in eosinophils and elevation of serum IgE. Both chest radiographs and computed tomography showed fine nodular shadows in both lung fields. Tissue samples obtained by trans-bronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) revealed extra-vascular granuloma. The patient complained of numbness of the extremities and neuron conduction velocity was low. Based on these findings, Churg-Strauss syndrome was diagnosed. Prednisolone improved the patient's symptoms. Patients with this syndrome reportedly respond well if it is diagnosed and treated with corticosteroids early. Chest roentgenography reveals various abnormal shadows in patients with this syndrome. For early diagnosis, TBLB is helpful and comparatively safe. This case was unusual because extra-vascular granuloma was found by TBLB.