[A case of follicular bronchiolitis in which progressive bronchiectasis developed over 7 years]

A 53-year-old man presented to our hospital with cough in August 2004. Chest computed tomography showed an anterior mediastinal tumor, centrilobular nodules and mild bronchiectasis. Centrilobular nodules were improved by the administration of clarithromycin, and we resected an anterior mediastinal tumor (thymoma). Partial lung resection was also performed, and a diagnosis of follicular bronchiolitis was established. The number of centrilobular nodules increased after cessation of the clarithromycin, and its administration was reinitiated; however, the patient's bronchiectasis and airway obstruction worsened. Steroid administration was begun in January 2010; thereafter, pulmonary function, bronchial wall thickness, cough and shortness of breath improved. Since April 2004, the patient has experienced 12 episodes of airway infection. Careful attention should be paid to recurrent airway infection, progressive bronchiectasis and airway obstruction in patients with follicular bronchiectasis.