skip to main content

Amiodarone pulmonary toxicity — SCE Respiratory MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

HardInterstitial Lung DiseaseAmiodarone pulmonary toxicitySCE Respiratory

A 49-year-old man treated with amiodarone for ventricular arrhythmia develops subacute dyspnoea and dry cough. HRCT shows bilateral ground-glass opacities and high-attenuation areas in the liver. TLCO has fallen from 82% to 48% predicted. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: A — Amiodarone pulmonary toxicity

Amiodarone can cause pulmonary toxicity with subacute dyspnoea, ground-glass infiltrates and reduced TLCO; high-attenuation liver supports amiodarone deposition. PE would not usually cause diffuse ground-glass change and hepatic attenuation. IPF would show a chronic UIP pattern rather than temporally drug-related pneumonitis.

Reference: BNF; BTS ILD resources