Tuberc Respir Dis > Volume 72(1); 2012 > Article
Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases 2012;72(1):37-43.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4046/trd.2012.72.1.37    Published online January 1, 2012.
Regression of Large Lung Bullae after Peribullous Pneumonia or Spontaneously.
Eun Young Choi, Woo Sung Kim
1Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. wskim2@amc.seoul.kr
2Department of Internal Medicine, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
Abstract
BACKGROUND
A lung bulla may rarely shrink as a result of an inflammation within the bulla or a closing of a bronchus involved in the inflammation process, which is termed 'autobullectomy'. The purpose of this study was to describe clinical features of patients with regressions of bullae during follow-up. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the cases and individuals who showed unequivocal evidence of interval regressions in a pre-existing bulla. A total of 477 cases with a bulla >5 cm in diameter were screened manually. Thirty cases with bullae that showed regression during follow-up were selected. RESULTS: Regressions of large bullae occurred in 30 of 477 cases (6.3%). The median age of those patients was 61 (range, 53~66) years and 87% of those patients were men. The main cause of a bulla was emphysema (80%). Among 30 cases, 16 cases had pneumonia in the lung parenchyma of the peribullous area. Another 7 cases had a regressed bulla accompanied by an air-fluid level within the bulla. The remaining 7 cases showed a spontaneous regression of the bulla without such events. Complete regression of a bulla occurred in 25 cases. A follow-up chest-X ray showed that in all cases except one, the bulla remained in a collapsed state after 24 months. Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) improved in 3 cases and the other 2 cases had increased forced vital capacity (FVC). In addition, total lung capacity (TLC) and residual volume (RV) decreased in another 2 cases. CONCLUSION: Regression of a lung bulla occurred not only after pneumonia or the presence of air-fluid level within the bulla, but also without such episodes. The clinical course of regression of a lung bulla varied. After regression of a bulla, lung function could be improved in some cases.
Key Words: Blister, Remission, Spontaneous, Radiography, Pulmonary Emphysema
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