Acute Idiopathic Eosinophilic Pneumonia: A Case Report and a Brief Review of the Literature

Abstract

Idiopathic eosinophilic pneumonia (IEP) is a rare and complex disease. It usually presents in the form of acute idiopathic eosinophilic pneumonia (AIEP) or chronic idiopathic eosinophilic pneumonia (CIEP). The common clinical picture of IEP comprises nonspecific respiratory symptoms that can easily be confused with other common conditions. The diversity of differential diagnoses, the subtlety of radiologic findings, and the lack of specific clinical tests can prolong and confuse the clinical course. Much research has been done on the clinical and pathologic features of acute and chronic eosinophilic cases of pneumonia. Conversely, the idiopathic and subacute forms have been the subject of only a handful of published papers, where each only contained a small number of cases. We present and discuss a case of IEP, the challenges involved in this diagnosis. its management and the importance of its recognition.