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Toxic fibrosing alveolitis

Alexey Portnov, medical expert
Last reviewed: 18.10.2021

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The development of toxic fibrosing alveolitis (ICD-10 code: J70.1-J70.8) is due to the toxic effects of chemicals on the respiratory department of the lungs, as well as the damaging effect of immune complexes. In children, toxic fibrosing alveolitis is more often associated with the intake of various drugs (sulfanilamides, methotrexate, mercaptopurine, azathioprine, cicophosphamide (cyclophosphamide), nitrofurantoin (furadonin), furazolidone, hexamethonium benzenesulfonate (benzohexonium), propranolol (anaprilin), hydralazine (apressin), chlorpropamide, benzylpenicillin, penicillamine). In adolescents in the anamnesis - contact in the workplace (gases, metal vapors, herbicides) or substance abuse.

Toxic fibrosing alveolitis has a similar clinical picture and laboratory-functional indices with exogenous allergic alveolitis in the acute and chronic phase of the disease (with the development of pneumofibrosis).

Treatment consists in the urgent cancellation of the drug, which can lead to complete recovery. The appointment of glucocorticoids accelerates the reverse development of pulmonary disorders. With the development of fibrotic changes, treatment effectiveness and prognosis are significantly reduced.