A Case of Kaposi's sarcoma with Pulmonary nodules without Skin Manifestation in Renal Transplant patient / 대한내과학회지

ABSTRACT

The incidence of Kaposi's sarcoma increases in renal transplant patients who had immunosuppressive therapy. In Korea, 4 cases of Kaposi's sarcoma in renal transplant patients have been reported. All of these cases had skin lesions. We experienced pulmonary Kaposi's sarcoma in 25- year-old man proven by open lung biopsy. He had re ceived cyclosporine and prednisolone as immunosuppres sive agent for 8 months since renal transplantation. He admitted to the hospital because of fever and pulmonary nodules on chest X-ray, and he had no skin lesion. Sputum examinations were negative for microorganisms and malignancy. He had bloody and frothy secretions on bronchoscopic study, and BAL fluid examinations were negative for microorganisms and malignancy. Open lung biopsy was carried out which showed Kaposi's sarcoma nodules. Immunosuppressive agents were discontinued after diagnosis but pulmonay nodules progressed. He died of respiratory failure 10 days after diagnosis. Pulmonary Kaposi's sarcoma has to be considered in the differential diagnosis in immunosuppresed patients who present with fever and pulmonary nodules.