An acute respiratory distress syndrome revealing a chronic eosinophilic pneumonia

Idiopathic chronic eosinophilic pneumonia (ICEP) is one of the idiopathic hypereosinophilic lung diseases. ICEP differs from idiopathic acute eosinophilic pneumonia (IAEP) by its progressive onset, and the absence of severe hypoxemia. We report a case of acute respiratory distress syndrome revealing an ICEP, which needed a 48 h of mechanical ventilation. ICEP is an exceptionnal cause of acute respiratory failure. Symptoms always improve with corticosteroids. But relapses are frequent after stopping corticosteroid treatment, as well as the occurrence of severe asthma. Distinction between ICEP and IAEP is essential because of its impact on treatment duration and on prognosis. (C) 2008 Elsevier Masson SAS. Tons droits reserves.