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.
Blockers of renin-angiotensin system(RAS) including ACE inhibitor or ARB are one of the most frequently prescribed medications for the treatment of hypertension, heart failure and proteinuria. One of the major side effects of these RAS blockers is the deterioration of renal function, mainly due to a reduction of intraglomerular pressure. Therefore, close monitoring of renal function is recommended when RAS blockers are initially prescribed, especially for the patients with impaired renal function.
We report a patient who was transferred to our hospital due to the sudden development of oliguria and dyspnea after treatment for hypertension with ACEi and ARB. She was finally diagnosed as RAS blocker-induced acute renal failure with pulmonary edema complicated on congenital solitary kidney. After hemodialysis and conservative treatment, her renal function was recovered with maintenance of normal urine output.
This case highlights the necessity of the functional and structural evaluation of kidney to prevent the serious complication such as acute renal failure before the administration of ACEi and/or ARB.