EXPRESS: Rapid Development of Pulmonary Hypertension and Right Ventricular Failure Due to Large Vessel Intravascular Microcrystalline Cellulosis in an Intravenous Drug User:

Intravascular foreign body deposition in the form of talc or microcrystalline cellulose is an uncommon but increasing cause of pulmonary hypertension given the current opioid epidemic. Earlier cases describe the effect of talc introduced via intravenous injection of crushed pills when deposited throughout the lungs, typically in the capillaries or distal pulmonary arterioles. An angiogranulomatous reaction ensues with pulmonary vascular remodeling and the gradual development of pulmonary hypertension. Although the use of talc in the manufacture of tablets has largely been replaced with alternative inert binders including microcrystalline cellulose, a similar angiogranulomatous reaction and vascular remodeling can occur. We report a case of intravascular microcrystalline cellulosis that rapidly progressed to fatal pulmonary hypertension over months characterized by occlusion of more proximal pulmonary arterioles in an intravenous drug user.