Playing saxophone induced diffuse alveolar hemorrhage: a case report.

Introduction: The blood-gas barrier must be very thin to allow gas exchange and it is therefore subjected to high mechanical stresses when the capillary pressure rises. Exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) occurs frequently in horses and there is evidence that EIPH can also occur in humans.
Materials and Methods: We reported on a healthy 65-year-old male who developed a diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH), like an EIPH, after playing saxophone for 6 h continuously. There were hemoptysis, crackles breathing sounds on exam, and bilateral radiographic infiltrates. A high-resolution computed tomographic study of the thorax disclosed DAH, the presence of which was proved by a gross appearance of bilateral bronchus on bronchoscopy and histopathological study of bronchoalveolar lavage material.
Conclusion: This is the first report of alveolar hemorrhage caused by playing saxophone. In our case, he presented with a benign course and regressed spontaneously without any medical intervention.