• Patrick Kohlitz and Pratibha Kaul.
• Chest. 2014 Mar 1;145(3 Suppl):164A.

Session TitleCritical Care Case Report PostersSESSION TYPE: Case Report PosterPRESENTED ON: Sunday, March 23, 2014 at 01:15 PM - 02:15 PMPURPOSE: Bleomycin is feared for its induction of pulmonary toxicity, bleomycin-induced pneumonitis, organizing pneumonia or progression to interstitial lung fibrosis in 10% of patients. Knowledge of the pathogenesis and treatment is largely anecdotal and controversial from either in-vitro animal studies or case reportsMethods33-year-old male was diagnosed with embryonal cell carcinoma of testes with metastasis to retroperitoneal lymph nodes and lung. He underwent orchiectomy followed by 4 cycles of chemotherapy with cisplatin, etoposide, and bleomycin . Cumulative dose of bleomycin was 150units. Two months later, he underwent thirteen-hour surgery for retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. Intra-operatively he received 13litres of crystalloids, 4units of packed red blood cells and 100% oxygen. On post-op day 1, he became hypoxemic and chest CT revealed bilateral multiple patchy ground-glass opacities and no pulmonary embolism. He required intubation and mechanical ventilation. The PaO2/FiO2 ratio was 120. He was treated empirically with antibiotics and diuretics. Echocardiogram revealed normal ejection fraction. Bronchoalveolar lavage was negative for infection. However, patient continued to be hypoxic. Glucocorticoid therapy was initiated 3days post-operatively and the patient was successfully extubated 5days later. He was discharged on steroid tapering.ResultsFollow up chest CT in 1 month showed complete resolution of the ground-glass opacities and glucocorticoid was gradually taperedConclusionsThere is 20% chance of lung toxicity if the cumulative bleomycin dose is over 400units and 3-5% with dose <300units. Animal studies have shown that bleomycin induces toxicity by producing free radicals after administration of high-inspired oxygen. Our case highlights that bleomycin doses as low 150units can cause lung injury when exposed to high-inspired oxygen. It is not clear if other factors like excess fluids, general anesthesia, prolonged surgery played a role in pathogenesis. Complete resolution of radiographic features and clinical symptoms occurred with early initiation of glucocorticoid therapyClinical ImplicationsExposure to high-inspired oxygen can cause lung toxicity from bleomycin at lower doses than previously described. High-inspired oxygen should be avoided. Early recognition of this disorder and initiation of glucocorticoids may be considered if infection is ruled outDisclosureThe following authors have nothing to disclose: Shraddha Goyal, Patrick Kohlitz, Pratibha KaulNo Product/Research Disclosure Information.

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