[Two complications of bullous emphysema. Apropos of a case]

Infection and cancer are two classical complications of bullous emphysema. We report the case of a 47-year-old patient who presented a tuberculous infection then cancer within less than one year interval. The questions concerning diagnosis of infection are discussed. Pyogenic germs are usually involved and tuberculosis much less often. Exceptionally atypical mycobacteria, notably xenopi, are rarely the cause. The diagnosis can be particularly difficult in case of haemorrhage or cancer on bullae. The diagnosis of cancer in bullous emphysema is also studied. The relationships between tuberculosis and cancer in bullous emphysema are discussed.