Nitrofurantoin-induced lung disease: two cases demonstrating resolution of apparently irreversible CT abnormalities.

Author(s): Sheehan RE, Wells AU, Milne DG, Hansell DM

Affiliation(s): Department of Radiology, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, England.

Publication date & source: 2000-03, J Comput Assist Tomogr., 24(2):259-61.

Publication type: Case Reports

A reticular pattern on high resolution CT (HRCT) invariably represents significant lung pathology and is the dominant feature of irreversible fibrosis. We present two cases of nitrofurantoin-induced pulmonary toxicity in which the initial HRCT showed a widespread reticular pattern and associated distortion of the lung parenchyma, thought to represent established fibrosis. Follow-up HRCT scans after withdrawal of the drug showed resolution of this supposedly irreversible pattern.