[CT-guided percutaneous polidocanol injection for giant pulmonary bulla: a report of 5 cases]

The clinical data of five patients with giant pulmonary bullae (GPB) who underwent computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous polidocanol injection were retrospectively analysed. Pre-and post-treatment comparisons were performed with respect to the diameter of the pulmonary bullae, arterial blood gas parameters, modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnoea score, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Assessment Test (CAT) score, six-minute walk distance (6MWD), and complications. During a 1- to 12- month follow-up, 3 cases achieved complete bulla closure, and 2 showed stable shrinkage. All patients showed improvement in dyspnoea, with significantly reduced mMRC and CAT scores and an increased 6MWD. Post-procedural complications included pneumothorax (n=2), pleural effusion (n=2), and haemoptysis (n=1), all of which recovered after management. These preliminary findings suggest that this minimally invasive method is highly effective, safe, and inexpensive.