Fatal interstitial lung disease associated with rituximab in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: A case report and literature review.

RATIONALE: Rituximab-associated interstitial lung disease (ILD) may initially be asymptomatic, and serial monitoring of serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels may facilitate timely diagnostic intervention with pulmonary computed tomography. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 73-year-old patient with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) developed ILD during treatment with a rituximab-containing regimen. DIAGNOSES: Rituximab-associated interstitial disease was made. INTERVENTIONS: The patient was treated with corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, and antifibrotic therapy. OUTCOMES: The ILD progressed, and the patient ultimately succumbed to type I respiratory failure. LESSONS: Clinicians should remain vigilant for rituximab-associated ILD, which, although uncommon, can progress rapidly and result in poor outcomes.