[Idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis in a 16-year old female]

Idiopathic pulmonary haemosiderosis (IPH) is a rare disease of unknown aetiology. The clinical and paraclinical findings consist of recurrent haemoptysis, pulmonary infiltrates and iron deficiency anaemia. Examination of sputum or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid obtained at fiberoptic bronchoscopy discloses large numbers of haemosiderin-laden alveolar macrophages. Pulmonary interstitial fibrosis may develop. As pulmonary haemosiderosis can be observed in association with several diseases, IPH is basically a diagnosis made by exclusion of other causes. The treatment consists of immunosuppression with steroids and cytotoxic drugs.