Clinical manifestations and diagnostic challenges in interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features. Case report

Abstract

Introduction: Interstitial pneumonia with autoimmunex characteristics (IPAF) is a very little-known entity that groups individuals with diffuse interstitial lung disease who have clinical, serological, or morphological characteristics that suggest a connective tissue disease, but without meeting rheumatological criteria. for one of them.

Objective: To present the clinical case of a patient diagnosed with interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune characteristics, to understand his management and diagnosis of this rare disease.

Case presentation: The clinical case of a 57-year-old female patient is presented, who presented with acute interstitial disease, during the immediate postoperative period of incarcerated hernia repair surgery, which required invasive mechanical ventilation. High-resolution computed tomography shows a pattern suggestive of organized pneumonia with positive serology for antinuclear antibodies, which makes us suspect IPAF.

Discussion: IPAF is a recently described entity in 2015, with criteria that are divided into morphological, clinical and immunological domains that serve to achieve a better characterization of this new disease, which, if it meets at least one characteristic in at least two of the domains mentioned, currently represents a considerable cause of morbidity and mortality, hence the importance of early diagnosis and early initiation of treatment.

Conclusion: Interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune characteristics is a complex lung disease that requires a multidisciplinary approach and specialized care to improve the prognosis of patients.