Multiple tiny granulomatous lesions with eosinophils in a patient with smoldering-type adult T-cell leukaemia: The possibility of a new type of bronchioloalveolopathy

We herein describe the first case, to our knowledge, of pulmonary lesions characterized by necrotizing granuloma formation with eosinophils, in a patient with smoldering-type adult T-cell leukaemia. A 74-year-old man, diagnosed with smoldering-type adult T-cell leukaemia 1 year previously, was admitted due to repeated pyrexia and concurrent identification of diffuse small pulmonary nodules. A surgical lung biopsy specimen revealed inflammatory nodular lesions measuring up to 3 mm in size, which contained necrotizing and non-necrotizing granulomas, intraluminar organization and eosinophils, and were of unknown aetiology. The patient's condition, including the radiological findings, improved gradually without any treatment. This case suggests the possibility of a new type of human T-lymphotropic virus type-1 associated bronchioloalveolar disorder.