Diffuse panbronchiolitis, the first case reports in Thailand

Diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB) is an important cause of progressive obstructive lung or chronic suppurative lung disease in the Far East (Japan, China and Korea). It is a distinctive sinobronchial syndrome with typical radiological and histologic features. We have identified three patients who have typical clinical manifestation and pathological confirmation. DPB should be suspected in patients who have clinical manifestations of chronic cough, productive sputum and shortness of breath. The chest radiograph often shows diffuse nodular shadows on a background of hyperinflated lungs. High resolution computed tomographic (HRCT) can guide the diagnosis and differentiate from other diseases. Finally, the most important issue of DPB is the treatment. Chronic treatment with low-dose erythromycin can improve the survival of patients.