SPECIAL SELECTED TOPICS- RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DISORDERS-SSTRSDO-QAA 021 

Which diseases belong to pulmonary hemorrhage syndromes?

Pulmonary hemorrhage syndromes are characterized by bleeding into the alveolar spaces causing hemoptysis and anemia. Goodpasture syndrome is an autoimmune disease caused by antibodies against the glomerular and alveolar basement membranes. Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener granulomatosis) commonly produces pulmonary hemorrhage associated with systemic vasculitis. 

Microscopic polyangiitis is another important cause of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. Systemic lupus erythematosus may also produce pulmonary hemorrhage. Idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis causes recurrent alveolar bleeding without an identifiable systemic disease. Histologically, alveoli contain numerous hemosiderin-laden macrophages.

Patients present with hemoptysis, dyspnea, anemia, and diffuse pulmonary infiltrates. Early diagnosis and immunosuppressive therapy improve clinical outcomes.

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DR.C.GANESAN M.D

PROFESSOR OF MEDICINE