A Case of Drug-Induced Interstitial Pneumonitis Caused by Valproic Acid for the Treatment of Seizure Disorders.
10.4046/trd.2014.77.3.145
- Author:
Se Jin KIM
1
;
Byung Woo JHUN
;
Ji Eun LEE
;
Kang KIM
;
Hyeun Yong CHOI
Author Information
1. Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, The Armed Forces Capital Hospital, Seongnam, Korea. chrisjinny@naver.com
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Valproic Acid;
Lung Diseases, Interstitial;
Drug Hypersensitivity
- MeSH:
Anticonvulsants;
Consciousness;
Diagnostic Tests, Routine;
Drug Hypersensitivity;
Dyspnea;
Epilepsy*;
Fever;
Hemorrhage;
Humans;
Lung Diseases, Interstitial*;
Lung Injury;
Methylprednisolone;
Neurosurgery;
Seizures;
Thorax;
Valproic Acid*;
Young Adult
- From:Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
2014;77(3):145-148
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Valproic acid is one of the most common antiepileptic drugs used for the treatment of several seizure disorders. A 20-year-old man presented with a sudden decline of consciousness. He had a neurosurgery operation for intracranial and intraventricular hemorrhage. Following surgery, antiepileptic medication was administered to the patient in order to control his seizure events. On valproic acid treatment, he began to complain of fever and dyspnea. His symptoms persisted despite receiving empirical antibiotic treatment. All diagnostic tests for infectious causes were negative. A high-resolution computed tomography scan of the chest revealed predominantly dependent consolidation and ground-glass opacities in both lower lobes. The primary differential was drug associated with interstitial lung disease. Therefore, we discontinued valproic acid treatment and began methylprednisolone treatment. His symptoms and radiologic findings had significantly improved after receiving steroid therapy. We propose that clinicians should be made aware of the potential for valproic acid to induce lung injury.
