Inflammatory bowel disease of the lung: The role of infliximab?

• Published in: Respiratory medicine case reports Vol. 15; no. C; pp. 85 - 88
• Main Authors: Hayek, Adam J, Pfanner, Timothy P, White, Heath D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2015; Elsevier
• Subjects: Case Report; Inflammatory bowel disease; Infliximab; Internal Medicine; Pulmonary extraintestinal manifestations; Pulmonary/Respiratory; Inflammatory bowel disease; Infliximab; tumor necrosis factor; Pulmonary extraintestinal manifestations; EIM; extra-intestinal manifestations; IBD; TNF; IBD, inflammatory bowel disease; TNF, tumor necrosis factor; EIM, extra-intestinal manifestations
• ISSN: 2213-0071; 2213-0071
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2015.05.012

Abstract Pulmonary extra-intestinal manifestations (EIM) of inflammatory bowel disease are well described with a variable incidence. We present a case of Crohn's disease with pulmonary EIM including chronic bronchitis with non-resolving bilateral cavitary pulmonary nodules and mediastinal lymphadenopathy successfully treated with infliximab. Additionally, we present a case summary from a literature review on pulmonary EIM successfully treated with infliximab. Current treatment recommendations include an inhaled and/or systemic corticosteroid regimen which is largely based on case reports and expert opinion. We offer infliximab as an adjunctive therapy or alternative to corticosteroids for treatment of inflammatory bowel disease related pulmonary EIM.