[Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia]

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Pathology
• Radiology

Background:

• Idiopathic Bronchiolitis Obliterans Organizing Pneumonia (BOOP) is a clinicopathological entity characterized by granulation tissue in the small airways and alveoli.
• This condition affects adults with a slight female predominance and presents with a range of respiratory symptoms.
• Diagnosis relies on histopathological findings, clinical presentation, and imaging characteristics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the clinical, radiological, and pathological features of idiopathic BOOP.
• To evaluate the treatment outcomes and response to corticosteroids and surgical intervention.

Main Methods:

• Observational study of 8 patients (2 men, 6 women) diagnosed with idiopathic BOOP.
• Data collected included clinical symptoms, physical examination findings, pulmonary function tests, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, chest radiography, and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT).
• Treatment modalities included prednisone and surgical excision in one case.

Main Results:

• Patients presented with fever, cough, and dyspnea, with symptom onset preceding treatment by 2-10 months.
• Common findings included tachypnea, crackles, reduced vital capacity and diffusing capacity, and elevated ESR.
• Radiological findings showed patchy alveolar opacities, predominantly in the lower lung zones, with peripheral HRCT distribution. One patient had a solitary tumor-like opacity with cavitation.
• Seven patients received prednisone, with complete recovery in three and improvement in one. Three patients experienced relapse.
• One patient with a solitary opacity was successfully treated with surgical excision.

Conclusions:

• Idiopathic BOOP exhibits diverse clinical and radiological manifestations.
• Corticosteroid therapy is a primary treatment, but relapses are possible.
• Surgical intervention can be curative for localized lesions.