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An unusual case of persistent extrinsic bronchial compression
Maya Vallabhaneni1, Ritwick Agrawal, Charles A Read
1Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC.
Journal of Bronchology & Interventional Pulmonology
|November 22, 2012
Summary
Bronchomalacia, a bronchial weakness, can be caused by external compression. This rare adult case highlights aortic compression of the bronchus leading to chronic cough.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Thoracic Surgery
- Radiology
Background:
- Bronchomalacia involves diffuse or segmental bronchial weakness and compressibility.
- Adult-onset focal bronchomalacia is typically acquired, often due to extrinsic compression or bronchial disease.
- The natural history of bronchomalacia is generally progressive.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a rare case of adult-onset focal bronchomalacia.
- To illustrate bronchomalacia caused by extrinsic compression from the descending aorta and pulmonary artery.
- To discuss the clinical presentation and potential causes of acquired bronchomalacia.
Main Methods:
- Case presentation of a 67-year-old man with chronic cough.
- Diagnostic evaluation including imaging to identify the cause of bronchial compression.
- Review of literature on adult-onset focal bronchomalacia.
Main Results:
- A rare case of focal bronchomalacia was identified in an adult male.
- The bronchomalacia was attributed to extrinsic compression of the left lower lobe bronchus by the descending aorta and a branch of the pulmonary artery.
- The patient presented with chronic cough as the primary symptom.
Conclusions:
- Focal bronchomalacia in adults can result from vascular anomalies causing extrinsic bronchial compression.
- Persistent extrinsic compression, as seen in this case, can lead to significant respiratory symptoms like chronic cough.
- This case underscores the importance of considering vascular causes for acquired bronchomalacia in adults.
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