Spontaneous regression of the lung bulla

Authors

  • Rujaporn Daewa M.D. Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkhla University, Songkhla, Thailand
  • Pattharapong Saneha, M.D. Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkhla University, Songkhla, Thailand.
  • Laksika Bhuthathorn M.D. Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkhla University, Songkhla, Thailand.
  • Natnicha Thetasen M.D. Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkhla University, Songkhla, Thailand.

Keywords:

Bulla, Bleb, Regression, Spontaneous, Rupture

Abstract

     Blebs and bullae are gas-containing spaces commonly found in many conditions and usually cause no symptoms, but may progress over time resulting in respiratory distress; pneumothorax and superimpose infections are common complications of bullae. Spontaneous regression of the bulla is rarely encountered, and its mechanism remains unclear. However, a few case reports suggest that it usually occurs after an infection or a rupture.

We present a 72-year-old male ex-smoker who presented with progressive dyspnea for 1 month. His chest radiograph showed a few lung blebs and bullae in the right upper to middle lung field. Bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory medications were prescribed and he was referred to the pulmonologist. His first chest CT also showed multiple blebs and a large bulla in the bilateral upper lobes and he was scheduled for bullectomy because his bullae were symptomatic. However, at a 17-month follow up, his symptoms spontaneously improved and his chest CT showed regression of the bulla with only a few small calcifications and pleural thickening in the right upper lobe remaining.

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References

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Boushy SF, Kohen R, Billig DM, Heiman MJ. Bullous emphysema: clinical, roentgenologic and physiologic study of 49 patients. Dis Chest 1968;54:327–34. doi: 10.1378/chest.54.4.327.

Chang WH. Complete spontaneous resolution of a giant bulla without rupture or infection: a case report and literature review. J Thorac Dis 2017;9:E551–5. doi: 10.21037/jtd.2017.05.53.

Benito Bernáldez C, Almadana Pacheco V. Spontaneous regression of pulmonary emphysematous bulla. Arch Bronconeumol 2017;53:347–8. doi: 10.1016/j.arbres.2016.09.001.

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Published

2021-12-31

How to Cite

1.
Daewa R, Saneha P, Bhuthathorn L, Thetasen N. Spontaneous regression of the lung bulla. ASEAN J Radiol [Internet]. 2021 Dec. 31 [cited 2024 Mar. 29];22(3):41-6. Available from: https://asean-journal-radiology.org/index.php/ajr/article/view/154

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