Loefflers syndrome (patient information)

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Loefflers syndrome

Overview

What are the symptoms?

What are the causes?

Diagnosis

Treatment options

Where to find medical care for Loefflers syndrome?

Prevention

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Possible complications

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aditya Govindavarjhulla, M.B.B.S. [2] Soroush Seifirad, M.D.[3]

Overview

Loefflers syndrome is also known as simple pulmonary eosinophilia. Simple pulmonary eosinophilia is swelling (inflammation) of the lungs from an increase in eosinophils, a type of white blood cell.

What are the symptoms of Loefflers syndrome?

What causes Loefflers syndrome?

Most cases of simple pulmonary eosinophilia are due to an allergic reaction from:

Diagnosis

  • The health care provider will listen to your chest with a stethoscope. Crackle-like sounds called rales may be heard. Rales suggest inflammation of the lung tissue.
  • Chest x-ray usually shows abnormal shadows called infiltrates. They may disappear with time or reappear in different areas of the lung.
  • Gastric lavage may show signs of the Ascaris worm or another parasite.

Treatment options

  • If you are allergic to a drug, the doctor may tell you to stop taking it. (Never stop taking a medication without first talking with your doctor.)
  • If the condition is due to an infection, you may be treated with an antibiotic or anti-parasitic medication.
  • Sometimes, you may need corticosteroids (powerful anti-inflammatory medicines).

Where to find medical care for Loefflers syndrome?

Directions to Hospitals Treating Loefflers syndrome

Prevention of Loefflers syndrome

This is a rare disorder. Many times, the cause cannot be found. Minimizing exposure to possible risk factors (certain medicines, some metals) may reduce risk.

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

The disease often goes away without treatment. If treatment is needed, the response is usually good. However, relapses can occur (the disease comes back).

Possible complications

A rare complication of simple pulmonary eosinophilia is a severe type of pneumonia called acute idiopathic eosinophilic pneumonia.

Sources

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000105.htm