Mycosis fungoides presenting as ARDS and diagnosed by bronchoalveolar lavage. Radiographic and pathologic pulmonary manifestations.

A patient with mycosis fungoides involving the lung, presenting with ARDS, and diagnosed by bronchoalveolar lavage, is described. A review and correlation of chest radiographic manifestations and pathologic observations are presented. We stress the importance of obtaining a specific diagnosis in light of the tenuous radiographic-pathologic correlation and discuss procedures for diagnosis and the inclusion of bronchoalveolar lavage as a previously undescribed diagnostic modality. The dismal prognosis of these patients, once pulmonary involvement is diagnosed, is noted.