[Interstitial pneumonia preceding systemic sclerosis].

We describe a 57-year-old man with interstitial pneumonia associated with systemic sclerosis. About 3 years prior to the appearance of distinctive signs of systemic sclerosis, he was admitted to our hospital with a chronic dry cough. A chest roentgenogram on admission revealed reticulonodular shadows in both lung fields. There were no abnormal laboratory findings. Open lung biopsy specimens revealed patterns indicative of usual interstitial pneumonia, and myxomatous connective tissue within the lumen of the airways. Skin biopsy specimens showed heightened levels of collagen in the dermis, a finding consistent with systemic sclerosis. The patient was given a diagnosis of lung involvement preceding systemic sclerosis despite the absence of concurrent skin symptoms.