A case of bulla formation in usual interstitial pneumonia underlying dermatomyositis after a 5-year follow-up

Abstract

We report a case of bulla formation in usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) after a 5-year follow-up, proven by open lung biopsy, in a 35-year-old Korean man with dermatomyositis. Chest computed tomography showed marked bulla formation and bilateral hydrothorax. To our knowledge, the end result of UIP is honeycombing, respiratory failure, and infection. We postulate that if patients show good compliance in dealing with their UIP, the next form of honeycombing is bulla formation. This is the first report of bulla formation in UIP with dermatomyositis after long-term follow-up.