Löffler syndrome
Updates to Article Attributes
Simple pulmonary eosinophilia (also known as Löffler syndrome) is a type of pulmonary eosinophilia that typically presents with transient radiographic infiltrates, minimal constitutional upset, and an elevated eosinophil count in peripheral blood.
Pathology
Aetiology
The cause is not usually identified but a number of allergens have been linked to the syndrome:
- parasites (e.g. Ascaris spp., Strongyloides spp., Ancylostoma spp.)
- drugs (e.g. aspirin, penicillin)
Radiographic features
Plain radiograph / CT/CT
There is often a fleeting, non-segmental air space opacification which may be unilateral or bilateral. Usually, has a predominantly peripheral distribution. Pleural effusions and lymphadenopathy are not features.
Treatment and prognosis
The condition is usually self-limiting and treated conservatively. Opacities typically resolve within a month 3,5.
Complications
A restrictive type cardiomyopathy can develop from endomyocardial fibrosis.
History and etymology
Named after a Swiss physician, Wilhelm Löffler (1887-1972) 2, who first described the case histories of patients with chest radiographic infiltrates in 1932.
Differential diagnosis
General imaging differential considerations include:
-<p><strong>Simple pulmonary eosinophilia</strong> (also known as <strong>Löffler syndrome</strong>) is a type of <a href="/articles/eosinophilic_pneumonia">pulmonary eosinophilia</a> that typically presents with transient radiographic infiltrates, minimal constitutional upset, and an elevated <a href="/articles/eosinophil">eosinophil</a> count in peripheral blood.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><h5>Aetiology</h5><p>The cause is not usually identified but a number of allergens have been linked to the syndrome:</p><ul>- +<p><strong>Simple pulmonary eosinophilia</strong> (also known as <strong>Löffler syndrome</strong>) is a type of <a href="/articles/eosinophilic_pneumonia">pulmonary eosinophilia</a> that typically presents with transient radiographic infiltrates, minimal constitutional upset, and an <a title="Elevated eosinophil level" href="/articles/eosinophilia">elevated eosinophil count</a> in peripheral blood.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><h5>Aetiology</h5><p>The cause is not usually identified but a number of allergens have been linked to the syndrome:</p><ul>
-</ul><h4>Radiographic features </h4><h5>Plain radiograph / CT</h5><p>There is often a fleeting, non-segmental air space opacification which may be unilateral or bilateral. Usually, has a predominantly peripheral distribution. <a href="/articles/pleural-effusion">Pleural effusions</a> and <a href="/articles/lymph-node-enlargement">lymphadenopathy</a> are not features.</p><h4>Treatment and prognosis </h4><p>The condition is usually self-limiting and treated conservatively. Opacities typically resolve within a month <sup>3,5</sup>.</p><h5>Complications</h5><p>A restrictive type cardiomyopathy can develop from <a href="/articles/endomyocardial-fibrosis">endomyocardial fibrosis</a>.</p><h4>History and etymology </h4><p>Named after a Swiss physician, <strong>Wilhelm Löffler </strong>(1887-1972) <sup>2</sup>, who first described the case histories of patients with chest radiographic infiltrates in 1932.</p><h4>Differential diagnosis</h4><p>General imaging differential considerations include:</p><ul>- +</ul><h4>Radiographic features </h4><h5>Plain radiograph/CT</h5><p>There is often a fleeting, non-segmental air space opacification which may be unilateral or bilateral. Usually, has a predominantly peripheral distribution. <a href="/articles/pleural-effusion">Pleural effusions</a> and <a href="/articles/lymph-node-enlargement">lymphadenopathy</a> are not features.</p><h4>Treatment and prognosis </h4><p>The condition is usually <a title="Self-limiting (term)" href="/articles/self-limiting-term">self-limiting</a> and treated conservatively. Opacities typically resolve within a month <sup>3,5</sup>.</p><h5>Complications</h5><p>A restrictive type cardiomyopathy can develop from <a href="/articles/endomyocardial-fibrosis">endomyocardial fibrosis</a>.</p><h4>History and etymology </h4><p>Named after a Swiss physician, <strong>Wilhelm Löffler </strong>(1887-1972) <sup>2</sup>, who first described the case histories of patients with chest radiographic infiltrates in 1932.</p><h4>Differential diagnosis</h4><p>General imaging differential considerations include:</p><ul>
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