"Reports indicate a mean age of ~65 years (43–80) with male preponderance with a ratio of 2:1. The elderly appear more at risk."
"Findings in CT part as described above, typically FDG-avid, indicative of neutrophil activation. FDG-PET/CT may be preferable 4,6 and advantageous also because of its recommendation in clinical routine for staging and treatment assessment in most lymphomas."
"Although spontaneous recovery is possible and treatment with corticosteroids usually leads to a rapid improvement (~70%), rituximab-induced interstitial lung disease may be fatal in ~20% of cases. The withdrawal of the drug may be the safest way of treatment 3,4."
"Unfortunately, the pathophysiology behind rituximab-induced interstitial lung disease is not well understood. Although some pulmonary side effects were reported in phase II and phase III studies, severe and potentially fatal complications were not evident before widespread clinical use 1,4-7."