Infected giant bulla treated by percutaneous drainage followed later by resection: report of a case

A 55-year-old man was hospitalized for treatment of a giant, fluid-filled bulla in the upper lobe of the right lung. The infection was resistant to antibiotics, and the resulting drug-induced liver dysfunction prohibited us from performing emergency lobectomy. Percutaneous drainage of the bulla was done initially, using a 28-Fr chest tube, after which the symptoms of infection improved rapidly. Despite a small air leakage, which became evident on day 4 of drainage, shrinkage of the bulla was achieved, and elective bullectomy was performed after continuous drainage for 21 days. Thus, percutaneous drainage was effective in controlling the infection and minimizing the invasiveness of surgery.