AN UNUSUAL PRESENTATION OF CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA AS ORGANIZING PNEUMONIA

ABSTRACT

SESSION TITLE Pulmonary Manifestations of Systemic Disease Case Posters SESSION TYPE Case Report Posters PRESENTED ON 10/19/2022 1245 pm - 0145 pm INTRODUCTION: Organizing pneumonia (OP) is a form of interstitial lung disease with a distinct histopathological pattern where bronchioles and alveoli become inflamed. It is associated with many clinical conditions including infections and connective tissue disease. OP has also been seen in patients with hematologic malignancies, however, primary pulmonary presentation of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is uncommon. We present a rare case of OP as an initial presentation of CLL. CASE PRESENTATION A 62 year-old male with a sixty pack year smoking history and COVID-19 infection one month ago presents with complaints of worsening dyspnea, headaches, productive cough, and congestion of 10 days duration. Patient is unvaccinated and did not require hospitalization for his COVID-19 infection. His vital signs on admission were significant for tachypnea with respiratory rate of 35 and hypoxia with oxygen saturation of 84% on room air. He initially required oxygen supplementation via non-rebreather mask to maintain oxygen saturation >88%. A chest tomography (CT) scan was completed and revealed bilateral dense consolidations with ground-glass opacities and air bronchograms consistent with OP. The scan was also significant for bulky mediastinal lymphadenopathy. The patient denied any personal or family history of autoimmune disease, occupational exposures, and recent travel. Evaluation for infection and for underlying connective tissue disease was unremarkable. He was started on broad spectrum antibiotics and high dose steroids. Due to fluctuating lymphocytosis, bulky lymphadenopathy, and negative infectious workup despite clinical improvement, he underwent a bronchoscopy with endobronchial ultrasound guided transbronchial needle aspiration of lymph nodes. Immunohistochemical (IHC) stains of these samples were compatible with CLL. Additionally, peripheral blood flow cytometry was also diagnostic of CLL. Oncology was consulted for further evaluation and treatment of CLL. The patient's respiratory symptoms improved and oxygen requirements decreased with steroid treatment and he was discharged home. DISCUSSION: OP occurring in patients with hematologic malignancies has multiple etiologies. Most case reports describe patients with previous exposure to chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or bone marrow transplant. However, our patient had no such exposure history and no prior diagnosis of a hematologic malignancy. Infectious and autoimmune etiology were considered, but serologic evaluation was unremarkable. Flow cytometric analysis of lymph node tissue along with lymphocytic bronchoalveolar lavage was consistent with initial diagnosis of CLL. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the low incidence, hematologic malignancy should be considered as a differential diagnosis in all patients who present with organizing pneumonia. Prednisone therapy for 6-12 month duration has been shown to reduce respiratory symptoms and may improve survival. Reference #1 Craig E. Daniels, Jeffrey L. Myers, James P. Utz, Svetomir N. Markovic, Jay H. Ryu. Organizing pneumonia in patients with hematologic malignancies A steroid-responsive lesion. Respiratory Medicine, 101 (1) (2007), pp. 162-168. Reference #2 M. Mokhtari, P.B. Bach, P.A. Tietjen, D.E. Stover. Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia in cancer a case series. Respiratory Medicine, 96 (4) (2002), pp. 280-286. DISCLOSURES no disclosure on file for Guillermo Garrido;No relevant relationships by Anita Gopalakrishnan No relevant relationships by Rameez Rao No relevant relationships by Mohammad Salimian