Respiratory failure in rapidly progressing pulmonary lymphoma. Role of immunophenotyping in diagnosis.

An asymptomatic man was found to have bilateral small pulmonary infiltrates on a preoperative chest roentgenogram. Over a 4-wk period there was rapid progression of the infiltrates with a clinical picture suggestive of adult respiratory distress syndrome. Open lung biopsy showed a high grade lymphoma filling and distorting the pulmonary parenchyma. Flow cytometry of pleural fluid showed an aberrant phenotype consistent with T cell lymphoma. The patient died of progressive respiratory failure 6 wk after the first radiographic abnormalities were detected. With further experience, immunophenotyping of pleural fluid may secure definitive diagnoses in certain clinical situations, obviating more invasive procedures.