[Diffuse panbronchiolitis in a child: case report and literature review]

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Pediatric Respiratory Medicine

Background:

• Diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB) is a chronic obstructive airway disease primarily affecting adults in Asian populations.
• Pediatric cases of DPB remain rare, with no prior reports in Chinese literature.

Observation:

• A 13-year-old girl presented with chronic productive cough, wheezing, and bilateral lung rales.
• Imaging revealed small nodules and reticular opacities on chest X-ray, with centrilobular nodules and bronchial changes on HRCT.
• Histopathology showed inflammation in bronchi and adjacent alveoli, with coexistent sinusitis and obstructive/restrictive lung function.

Findings:

• The case met diagnostic criteria for DPB, marking the first pediatric instance reported in China.
• Low-dose erythromycin treatment demonstrated efficacy in managing the patient's DPB symptoms.

Implications:

• DPB should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pediatric respiratory conditions in China.
• Key diagnostic indicators include persistent cough, chronic sinusitis, and characteristic HRCT findings.
• Low-dose erythromycin shows promise as an effective treatment for pediatric DPB.