[Case of systemic sclerosis presenting with alveolar hemorrhage and positive anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic myeloperoxidase antibody(MPO-ANCA) without pathological renal involvement].

We report a 54-year-old woman with systemic sclerosis who presented alveolar hemorrhage. She noticed shortness of breath in May 1997. She was diagnosed having interstitial pneumonitis and systemic sclerosis with sclerodactylia of bilateral fingers in December. She developed bloody sputum and dyspnea suddenly on March 12, 1999. Bloody lavage fluid with hemosiderin-laden macropharge was observed by bronchial fiber scopic examination. The elevated level of MPO-ANCA was detected without anti-DNA antibody. Administration of intravenous methylprednisolone(1g per day, 3 days) followed by 40 mg per day of prednisolone achieved complete response, and MPO-ANCA level was decreased. Mild proteinuria and microhematuria was detected on admission, but renal biopsy revealed no findings of crescent formation or angiitis. With coadministration of oral cyclophosphamide she doesn't have any renal involvement or recurrence of alveolar hemorrhage during these four years. MPO-ANCA level remains negative. Alveolar hemorrhage, which is uncommon pulmonary event in systemic sclerosis, is often coexist with renal angiitis in the context of "pulmo-renal syndrome". MPO-ANCA is said to be related to pulmo-renal syndrome and is sometimes induced by D-penicillamine. This patient is really important in considering the pathogenesis of alveolar hemorrhage because she had no renal vasculitic lesions or D-penicillamine intake.