Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage with chronic thyroiditis in an advanced-age adult

Idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis (IPH) is one of the rare causes of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH), and usually occurs in children. The mechanism underlying this disease development has not been defined. During the acute phase, death due to massive alveolar hemorrhage and subsequent severe respiratory failure with multiple organ failure often occurs. We report a case of IPH which occurred in an advanced-aged adult during following thyroidectomy for chronic thyroiditis. Following surgery this 83-year-old male developed acute onset dyspnea and pulmonary hemorrhage. In a search for underlying causes, no disorders were found and the only finding was the presence of anti-thyroid antibody. Systemic corticosteroid therapy was effective and he fully recovered. To our knowledge, this is the second documentation of IPH in association with chronic thyroiditis.