NK-T cell lymphoma manifesting as acute respiratory distress syndrome / 대한내과학회지

ABSTRACT

Primary pulmonary lymphoma is a rare disease, and non-B cell lymphomas (T-cell and natural killer cell lymphomas) involving the lung parenchyma are uncommonly reported. The most common radiological feature of pulmonary parenchymal lymphoma is a single mass or nodule. A 49-year-old woman with dyspnea was referred with suspicion of severe pneumonia. A chest radiograph showed diffuse nodular infiltration in both lungs. Acute respiratory failure was severe and rapidly progressive, so she was managed with a mechanical ventilator under the impression of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). A bronchoalveolar lavage and lung biopsy by video-assisted thoracic surgery revealed NK-T cell lymphoma. We report a case of extranodal NK-T cell lymphoma presenting as ARDS.