Soo Hyun Kim, Eun Mi Song, Doo Hyun Beak, Hyun Jung Oh, Hyun Kyung Kim, Min Young Choi, Kyung Joo Kwon, Hye Won Kang, Seo Woo Kim, Unjin Shim, Yeon Ah Sung, Young Sun Hong
Ihwa Ŭidae chi 2010;33(2):109-113. Published online September 30, 2010
Propylthiouracil(PTU) is a commonly used antithyroid drug in the management of hyperthyroidism. However, it is associated with a variety of side effects. Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody( ANCA)-positive vasculitis is an extremely rare side effect of PTU. We report a case of a patient with diffuse pulmonary hemorrhage while being treated with PTU. A 28-year-old woman was admitted due to fever and abdominal pain. She was diagnosed as Graves' disease 4 years before the admission, and was taking PTU intermittently. Thyroid storm was suspected and we treated her with PTU, hydrocortisone, lugol solution and propranolol. However, coughing was aggravated, with chest X-ray and computed tomography revealing diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. Perinuclear-ANCA was positive. After discontinuation of PTU, all symptoms resolved. In conclusion, ANCA-positive diffuse alveolar hemorrhage is a rare but a potential side-effect of PTU. Therefore, early awareness of this complication is important.