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10:01
Development of Obliterative Bronchiolitis in a Murine Model of Orthotopic Lung Transplantation
Published on: July 10, 2012
Pneumothorax derived from bronchiolitis obliterans after marrow transplantation
Sumitaka Yamanaka1, Taketsugu Yamamoto, Kenji Inui
1Department of Thoracic Surgery, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, Japan. syamana1@jhmi.edu
Asian Cardiovascular & Thoracic Annals
|April 8, 2011
Summary
Bronchiolitis obliterans, a severe lung disease after bone marrow transplant, can cause rare bilateral pneumothorax. Extensive thoracolysis offered an effective acute treatment for this life-threatening complication.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Hematology
- Transplantation Immunology
Background:
- Long-term survival post-bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is increasing.
- Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGvHD) can lead to serious pulmonary complications.
- Bronchiolitis obliterans (BO) is a critical and often untreatable pulmonary sequela of cGvHD.
Observation:
- Bilateral pneumothorax is an uncommon but serious manifestation associated with bronchiolitis obliterans.
- A 42-year-old male patient presented with intractable pneumothorax following BMT and surgical interventions.
- This clinical scenario highlights the challenges in managing pulmonary complications post-BMT.
Findings:
- Extensive thoracolysis was performed as an acute treatment for the patient's severe pneumothorax.
- The surgical intervention demonstrated effectiveness in managing this rare and life-threatening condition.
- This case suggests thoracolysis as a potential therapeutic option for refractory pneumothorax in BO.
Implications:
- Highlights the need for vigilant monitoring of pulmonary health in BMT survivors.
- Suggests exploring surgical interventions for managing rare pulmonary complications of cGvHD.
- Provides insight into potential treatment strategies for intractable pneumothorax in the context of bronchiolitis obliterans.
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