We have shown that readmission rates in illicit drug smokers with FEV1 < 1 L are higher than in tobacco smokers. Studies are needed to determine whether targeting these illicit drug users with an intensive community intervention package (to include early therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation) will reduce readmission rates in this often neglected population.

A 40-year-old homeless woman who was a known intravenous drug user and heroin smoker, presented with massive haemoptysis. Initial CT-pulmonary angiogram (CT-PA) did not show active haemorrhage but found an opacity in a right upper lobe cavity likely to represent a mycetoma. She was started on antifungal therapy but haemoptysis persisted and bronchial angiography was performed. Again no active haemorrhage was identified but abnormal vasculature was seen supplying the right upper lobe. This was empirically embolised with particles which did not improve her symptoms. A subsequent CT-PA identified a pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm in the cavity wall which was successfully embolised. There was no further haemoptysis and a repeat CT-PA 3 weeks later showed continuing occlusion of the pulmonary artery aneurysm. Investigations for tuberculosis were negative and she was discharged clinically well and on long-term antifungal therapy.

No abstract

Goodpasture's disease without circulating autoantibodies is a rare presentation of a rare diagnosis. We present the case of a man aged 17 years who had 3 hospital admissions over a 2-month period with haemoptysis and shortness of breath. Throughout his first 2 admissions, his renal function was normal and anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) antibodies were negative. CT pulmonary angiogram during his second admission revealed florid and diffuse alveolar infiltrates. However, high-resolution CT chest performed 4 weeks later showed complete resolution of these changes. On his third admission, he developed acute kidney injury. A repeat CT chest revealed the reappearance of initial findings and anti-GBM antibodies were now positive. Goodpasture's disease was subsequently confirmed with renal biopsy. Our case, with delayed onset of renal impairment, initial seronegativity for anti-GBM antibodies and relapsing and remitting CT findings, emphasises the need to consider this diagnosis in the setting of otherwise unexplained pulmonary haemorrhage.