Transfusion-Related Acute Lung Injury After IVIG for Myasthenic Crisis

Abstract

Background: A 26-year-old female with myasthenic crisis developed transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) after she was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin. Methods: Case report. Results: Respiratory status markedly worsened with each intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) administration and progressing from a need to use bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) to intubation. Pulmonary function tests improved during this episode. Conclusions: IVIG may cause TRALI and due to subtle clinical findings can be mistaken for neuromuscular respiratory failure.