Q1. D
Q2. B
Q3. E
Q4. C

Hot-Tub Lung

Additional case follow-up data:  Microbiologic cultures from both the wedge resection as well as a brochioloalveolar lavage taken at the time of surgery eventually grew mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) organisms. Independent water samples taken from the patient’s home hot-tub water also grew MAC. The patient stopped using the hot-tub, and was treated with a 3 month course of prednisone with resolution of his symptoms and radiologic abnormalities.

Hot-Tub Lung (HTL) a relatively rare but important diagnostic consideration when faced with a diffuse pulmonary parenchymal granulomatous reaction in immunocompetent patients. HTL is caused by inhalation of water aerosol containing non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), with most cases belonging to the Mycobacterium avium complex family. There is still debate as to whether HTL represents more of an infectious process or conversely a hypersensitivity reaction to the inhaled NTM organisms. This is mirrored by the histologic presentation that shares hybrid features of both an infectious granulomatous process as well as more traditional hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP).

The most salient histologic finding is that of moderately well-formed largely non-necrotizing granulomas in a random, airspace, or bronchiolocentric distribution. The granulomas are generally larger and more well-formed than the “small poorly formed non-necrotizing granulomas” of HP. Necrosis is very rarely encountered in HTL (in contrast to infectious AFB or fungal infections). Exogenous or foreign polarizable materials within the granulomas, if present, would point to an aspiration pneumonitis, pneumoconiosis, or injection/talc granulomatosis depending on the findings. The granulomas of sarcoidosis tend to be ever larger and more well-formed with concentric fibrosis, and have a lymphangitic distribution (lymph node involvement plus pleural, septal, and peribronchovascular distribution). As with any interstitial lung disease, the proper clinical and radiologic context is extremely important in arriving at the correct diagnosis.

In addition to correlating the suggestive histologic findings with the clinical presentation and exposure history, the diagnosis of HTL can be supported if NTM organisms are detected in the tissue by either microbiologic cultures and/or PCR based methods. The ultimate diagnostic coup de grace can be achieved by eliciting a temporally aligned hot tub exposure history along with NTM isolates obtained from said hot tub water.

Like HP, treatment of HTL is largely avoidance of the inciting agent (NTM contaminated hot-tub), although steroids are also generally used to provide symptomatic relief.    

Take home message for trainees: HTL is a rare form of granulomatous lung disease that shares features of both an infectious process and hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Appropriate clinical history and microbiologic testing are keys to establishing this diagnosis.

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Khoor A, Leslie KO, Tazelaar HD, Helmers RA, Colby TV. Diffuse pulmonary disease caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria in immunocompetent people (hot tub lung). Am J Clin Pathol. 2001;115:755-62.

Paul VanderLaan M.D., Ph.D.
Director of Thoracic Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Assistant Professor of Pathology, Harvard Medical School
Boston, MA