Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma
Published on: November 4, 2010
[Case of idiopathic bronchiolitis obliterans successfully treated by medication]
Hiroko Hirose1, Susumu Fukahori, Tomoko Tsuchida
1Second Department of Internal Medicine, Nagasaki University School of Medicine.
Abstract:
A 53-year-old woman visited a clinic for stridor and dyspnea, and was treated with steroid and heparin for bronchial asthma and pulmonary embolism. She was later admitted to our hospital for progressive dyspnea. Blood gas analysis showed severe hypoxemia with hypercapnia. Pulmonary funtion tests revealed severe obstractive pulmonary dysfunction. Chest computed tomography showed a mosaic perfusion pattern. Ventilation-perfusion scanning showed bilateral multiple matched defects, especially in the basal region. Since specimens of Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgical (VATS) lung biopsy showed lymphocytic infiltration in membranous bronchiole and occlusion of the membranous bronchiole lumen, bronchiolitis obliterans was diagnosed. We initiated treatment with steroids, macrolides and bronchodilators and her condition stabilized. Although these therapies did not cure the BO, they did retard its progression.
Related Concept Videos
COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-V: Management
Smoking Cessation
Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation
Inhaled Medications
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Smoking is a primary risk factor for COPD, with over 80% of patients having a history of it. Patients typically experience progressive dyspnea or labored breathing, frequent coughing, and recurrent pulmonary infections. Many eventually succumb to respiratory failure, characterized by...