Idiopathic chronic eosinophilic pneumonia: a differential diagnosis of lower respiratory tract infection.

A 43-year-old woman presented with a presumed lower respiratory tract infection, with symptoms of persistent cough, lethargy, fevers and night sweats. Initial general practitioner assessment revealed raised C reactive protein and a leucocytosis comprising both a neutrophilia and an eosinophilia. The patient was initially treated for bacterial pneumonia. Despite treatment, the patient's condition did not improve and hospital admission was arranged for further investigation. Initial physical examination was unremarkable. A chest X-ray revealed bilateral, symmetrical, peripheral consolidation with an upper zone predominance. Subsequently, endobronchial washings revealed abundant eosinophils. A diagnosis of idiopathic chronic eosinophilic pneumonia was made, and the patient responded well to oral corticosteroids with complete resolution of radiological appearances 1 month later.

Metastatic chordoma with pancreatic disease and response to imatinib.

A 45-year-old woman presented with a left-sided neck swelling following treatment a year prior for cervical spine chordoma. She had initially been managed surgically with a cervical vertebrectomy and a course of proton beam therapy. Although there had been a degree of residual tissue, her disease remained stable radiologically and clinically. Repeat MRI demonstrated an increasing left paravertebral mass and a head of pancreas metastasis, which shared pathological characteristics with chordoma. Given the advanced metastatic nature of her disease, imatinib was offered with a palliative intent. While waiting for treatment she developed a spinal cord compression, managed with radiotherapy. She commenced imatinib and her disease remained stable for 9 months before progressing clinically and radiologically. This case demonstrates an unusual pattern of metastatic chordoma and provides further rationale for imatinib in such patients.