ACUTE EOSINOPHILIC PNEUMONIA - A CAUSE OF REVERSIBLE, SEVERE, NONINFECTIOUS RESPIRATORY-FAILURE

We report a case of acute eosinophilic pneumonia associated with adult respiratory distress syndrome in an adolescent. This entity should be considered in the differential diagnosis in previously well children and adolescents who are seen with unexplained respiratory failure and who have many eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Prompt reco gnition of this rapidly reversible noninfectious disorder and institut ion of corticosteroids may be lifesaving.