A rare cause of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage in a pediatric patient: thigh localization of INI1-deficient epithelioid sarcoma

Abstract Background Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) is a group of rare but life-threatening conditions characterized by bleeding into the alveolar spaces, often associated with various etiologies. Epithelioid sarcoma (ES) is a rare and aggressive soft tissue sarcoma that has never been reported to...

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Main Authors: Xiaolei Tang, Zhipeng Zhao, Xingfeng Yao, Chunju Zhou, Shuai Gong, Haiming Yang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-08-01
Series:Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13023-025-03956-1
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author Xiaolei Tang
Zhipeng Zhao
Xingfeng Yao
Chunju Zhou
Shuai Gong
Haiming Yang
author_facet Xiaolei Tang
Zhipeng Zhao
Xingfeng Yao
Chunju Zhou
Shuai Gong
Haiming Yang
author_sort Xiaolei Tang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) is a group of rare but life-threatening conditions characterized by bleeding into the alveolar spaces, often associated with various etiologies. Epithelioid sarcoma (ES) is a rare and aggressive soft tissue sarcoma that has never been reported to be associated with DAH. Methods We report a rare case of ES in a pediatric patient presenting with DAH and intracranial hemorrhagic lesions. Diagnostic evaluations included high-resolution chest CT (HRCT), bronchoscopy, brain MRI, lung biopsy, Positron emission tomography - computed tomography (PET-CT), and biopsy of a mass in the right thigh. Fluorescence in situ hybridization was performed to detect SMARCB1 (INI1) gene deletion. Results A 13-year-old male presented with anemia and later developed hemoptysis with a decreased hemoglobin level. HRCT revealed bilateral ground-glass opacities consistent with DAH. Extensive autoimmune and infectious workups were all negative. Brain MRI demonstrated microhemorrhages. Despite corticosteroid therapy, the patient’s condition worsened. PET-CT identified a hypermetabolic soft tissue mass in the right thigh, which on histopathological examination was confirmed as INI1-deficient ES. FISH analysis confirmed INI1 deletion. Conclusion This case highlights the diagnostic challenges of INI1-deficient ES presenting with DAH and underscores the importance of considering malignancy in pediatric patients with atypical DAH. Multidisciplinary approaches, including advanced imaging and molecular diagnostics, are crucial for accurate diagnosis and management.
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spelling doaj-art-1db8b021775c4671b904cde9da4df9c32025-08-24T11:50:06ZengBMCOrphanet Journal of Rare Diseases1750-11722025-08-0120111010.1186/s13023-025-03956-1A rare cause of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage in a pediatric patient: thigh localization of INI1-deficient epithelioid sarcomaXiaolei Tang0Zhipeng Zhao1Xingfeng Yao2Chunju Zhou3Shuai Gong4Haiming Yang5Department of Respiratory Medicine, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children’s HealthDepartment of Respiratory Medicine, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children’s HealthDepartment of Pathology, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children’s HealthDepartment of Pathology, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children’s HealthDepartment of Neurology, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children’s HealthDepartment of Respiratory Medicine, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children’s HealthAbstract Background Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) is a group of rare but life-threatening conditions characterized by bleeding into the alveolar spaces, often associated with various etiologies. Epithelioid sarcoma (ES) is a rare and aggressive soft tissue sarcoma that has never been reported to be associated with DAH. Methods We report a rare case of ES in a pediatric patient presenting with DAH and intracranial hemorrhagic lesions. Diagnostic evaluations included high-resolution chest CT (HRCT), bronchoscopy, brain MRI, lung biopsy, Positron emission tomography - computed tomography (PET-CT), and biopsy of a mass in the right thigh. Fluorescence in situ hybridization was performed to detect SMARCB1 (INI1) gene deletion. Results A 13-year-old male presented with anemia and later developed hemoptysis with a decreased hemoglobin level. HRCT revealed bilateral ground-glass opacities consistent with DAH. Extensive autoimmune and infectious workups were all negative. Brain MRI demonstrated microhemorrhages. Despite corticosteroid therapy, the patient’s condition worsened. PET-CT identified a hypermetabolic soft tissue mass in the right thigh, which on histopathological examination was confirmed as INI1-deficient ES. FISH analysis confirmed INI1 deletion. Conclusion This case highlights the diagnostic challenges of INI1-deficient ES presenting with DAH and underscores the importance of considering malignancy in pediatric patients with atypical DAH. Multidisciplinary approaches, including advanced imaging and molecular diagnostics, are crucial for accurate diagnosis and management.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13023-025-03956-1Epithelioid sarcomaDiffuse alveolar hemorrhageIntracranial hemorrhagePediatricINI1 deficiency
spellingShingle Xiaolei Tang
Zhipeng Zhao
Xingfeng Yao
Chunju Zhou
Shuai Gong
Haiming Yang
A rare cause of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage in a pediatric patient: thigh localization of INI1-deficient epithelioid sarcoma
Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases
Epithelioid sarcoma
Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage
Intracranial hemorrhage
Pediatric
INI1 deficiency
title A rare cause of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage in a pediatric patient: thigh localization of INI1-deficient epithelioid sarcoma
title_full A rare cause of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage in a pediatric patient: thigh localization of INI1-deficient epithelioid sarcoma
title_fullStr A rare cause of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage in a pediatric patient: thigh localization of INI1-deficient epithelioid sarcoma
title_full_unstemmed A rare cause of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage in a pediatric patient: thigh localization of INI1-deficient epithelioid sarcoma
title_short A rare cause of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage in a pediatric patient: thigh localization of INI1-deficient epithelioid sarcoma
title_sort rare cause of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage in a pediatric patient thigh localization of ini1 deficient epithelioid sarcoma
topic Epithelioid sarcoma
Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage
Intracranial hemorrhage
Pediatric
INI1 deficiency
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13023-025-03956-1
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