Hémorragies intra-alvéolaires. Diagnostic et traitement

Diffuse alveolar haemorrhage (DAH) is a rare yet serious and frequently life-threatening complication of a variety of conditions. Early recognition is crucial, because the prompt institution of supportive measures and immunosuppressive therapy is required for survival. The finding of a pulmonary renal syndrome strongly suggest an immune disorder as the leading cause of DAH. The three most frequent diseases associated with immune DAH are vasculitides, immunologic conditions such as Goodpasture's syndrome, and collagen vascular disease such as systemic lupus erythematous. Clinical examination and presence of autoantibody lead to diagnosis in most of the cases as to early initiate immunosuppressive therapy.