A Case of Diffuse Pulmonary Hemorrhage Possibly Caused by Cephem Antibiotics

Abstract

A 57-year-old woman developed acute respiratory failure, during hospitalization after surgery of intracranial meningioma. Her chest X-ray film showed diffuse alveolar pattern in both lung fields. Bronchofiberscopic examination revealed massive fresh blood in the trachea and bronchi. We diagnosed this case as pulmonary hemorrhage. The cause was suspected to be hemorrhagic diathesis associated with cephem antibiotics administration. We exchanged antibiotics for other ones, and used vitamin K. In 3 weeks, her clinical findings ameliorated.