Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 30, 2025
Lung CT Segmentation to Identify Consolidations and Ground Glass Areas for Quantitative Assesment of SARS-CoV Pneumonia
Published on: December 19, 2020
Clinical characteristics of 32 cases of diffuse panbronchiolitis
Lianhua Zhang1, Yanru Ou2, Hui Hu2
1Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China. 15798006716@163.com.
Objectives:
Diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB) is a chronic airway inflammation with low specificity and its diagnosis is often missed or delayed. This study aims to summarize the clinical characteristics and treatment of DPB in order to improve the understanding and diagnosis of the disease.
Methods:
The clinical data of 32 DPB patients were collected, analyzed and summarized from March 1, 2013 to March 1, 2022 in the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University. The basic information, clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, pulmonary function, imaging tests, treatment, and regression of patients were analyzed.
Results:
A total of 32 patients were enrolled in the final analysis, with a male-to-female ratio at 1.67. The median age at symptom onset was 26.5 (11.0-69.0) years, and the median age of diagnosis was 47.5 (16.0-77.0) years. All patients presented with chronic cough and copious sputum production. A total of 26 patients had post activity shortness of breath and 14 patients had a positive result (blood cold agglutination test titer≥1꞉64). Pulmonary function examination was performed in 31 patients, 18 patients showed mixed pulmonary ventilation dysfunction, 12 patients showed obstructive pulmonary ventilation, and 1 patient had normal pulmonary ventilation function. A total of 31 patients had a bilateral, diffuse, small nodule pattern on chest CT. All patients were treated with macrolides. A total of 31 patients showed improvement, and 20 patients showed improvement in partial pressure of oxygen and blood oxygen saturation compared with before at discharge. A total of 12 patients were re-examined by chest CT after completing macrolides treatment, 6 cases showed less diffuse nodules, 5 cases showed no significant changes, and 1 case showed more diffuse nodules, which indicated the disease progression. Seven patients received pulmonary function tests after completing macrolides treatment, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and FEV1/forced vital capacitywere improved, but forced expiratory flow at 25% of vital capacity did not change significantly.
Conclusions:
The clinical manifestations of DPB are nonspecific. Early diagnosis and treatment are very important for the prognosis of patients.
Insights
Diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB) presents with nonspecific symptoms, often leading to delayed diagnosis. Early detection and macrolide treatment significantly improve outcomes for patients with this chronic airway inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Internal Medicine
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB) is a chronic airway inflammatory disease characterized by low diagnostic specificity, frequently resulting in delayed diagnosis and treatment.
- Understanding the clinical spectrum and treatment response is crucial for improving patient prognosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the clinical characteristics of Diffuse Panbronchiolitis (DPB).
- To analyze the treatment outcomes of DPB patients.
- To enhance the understanding and facilitate earlier diagnosis of DPB.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of clinical data from 32 Diffuse Panbronchiolitis (DPB) patients diagnosed between March 2013 and March 2022.
- Evaluation included patient demographics, clinical symptoms, laboratory findings, pulmonary function tests, and chest CT imaging.
- Treatment efficacy was assessed based on clinical improvement, gas exchange, and imaging and functional changes post-macrolide therapy.
Main Results:
- The study included 32 patients (male-to-female ratio 1.67) with a median age of diagnosis at 47.5 years.
- Common symptoms included chronic cough and copious sputum; 26 patients experienced shortness of breath post-activity.
- Chest CT revealed bilateral, diffuse, small nodule patterns in 31 patients. Macrolide treatment led to clinical improvement in 31 patients, with enhanced oxygenation in 20. Pulmonary function tests showed improvement in FEV1 and FEV1/FVC post-treatment.
Conclusions:
- Diffuse Panbronchiolitis (DPB) exhibits nonspecific clinical manifestations, underscoring the challenge in early diagnosis.
- Prompt diagnosis and initiation of macrolide-based treatment are critical for favorable patient outcomes.
- Continued monitoring is essential as some cases may show disease progression despite treatment.
Related Concept Videos
01:20COPD: Pathogenesis and Clinical Features
The primary cause for the onset of COPD is cigarette smoking and exposure to air pollution. These hazardous factors initiate a chain reaction within the lungs, resulting in chronic inflammation, damage to the airways, and a...
01:20Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-I: Introduction
01:20Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-II: Pathophysiology
Chronic Inflammation
01:22Chronic 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...
01:25Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-III: Symptoms and Complications.
Symptoms of COPD can be classified as primary or systemic. Primary symptoms relate to reduced airflow, while systemic or extrapulmonary symptoms relate to COPD's broader impact on the body.
Primary Symptoms of COPD:
01:29Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology