Open AccessEndobronchial one‐way valve for persistent air leak and lung volume reduction
Author(s) -
Yu Wai Cho,
Kwok Hau Chung,
Chan Yu Hong,
Ho Man Ying,
Chan Ming Chiu,
Yeung Yiu Cheong
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
respirology case reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.304
H-Index - 9
ISSN - 2051-3380
DOI - 10.1002/rcr2.461
Subject(s) - medicine , leak , lung volume reduction , reduction (mathematics) , volume (thermodynamics) , lung , radiology , engineering , environmental engineering , physics , geometry , mathematics , quantum mechanics
There are randomized controlled study data showing that endobronchial one‐way valves (EBV) are useful for bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR). There is also case series data showing EBV to be effective in stopping persistent air leaks complicating pneumothoraces. We describe a 66‐year‐old man with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who failed assessments for BLVR because of the inability to perform the carbon monoxide diffusion test but subsequently had EBV deployed to his right upper lobe bronchi for persistent air leak complicating a spontaneous pneumothorax. Afterwards, there was subjective improvement in breathlessness, exercise capacity, and reduced frequency of exacerbations requiring hospitalization. Lung function parameters showed marked improvement. This case suggests that patients with compatible spirometric lung volume and computed tomography findings should proceed with BLVR. In addition, one should be aware of the possibility of improved lung function in patients with pulmonary emphysema following implantation of EBV for persistent air leak.