Open AccessBilateral endoscopic volume reduction in a woman with severe emphysema
Author(s) -
Hillerdal Gunnar
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
the clinical respiratory journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.789
H-Index - 33
eISSN - 1752-699X
pISSN - 1752-6981
DOI - 10.1111/crj.12441
Subject(s) - medicine , lung volume reduction , bronchoscopy , surgery , reduction (mathematics) , lung function , right main bronchus , lung , lobe , radiology , bronchus , anatomy , respiratory disease , geometry , mathematics
In selected patients with severe heterogenous emphysema lung volume reduction can be performed by using endobronchial valves. So far, only unilateral procedures have been published. Here is described a patient where a right‐sided closure of the right upper lobe resulted in an increase of FEV1sec of more than 50%, and some years later the procedure was repeated on the left side with further considerable improvement. A tracheal bronchus to the apical segment of the right upper lobe made measuring the collateral flow at bronchoscopy impossible, but clearly visible fissures were used as a substitute. In conclusion, valve treatment in suitable patients can give substantial improvement in lung function and quality of life and can be repeated on the other side if warranted some years later.