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MUCOID IMPACTION OF THE BRONCHI
Author(s) -
SMITH WILLIAM G.,
CLARK FREDERICK
Publication year - 1964
Publication title -
australasian annals of medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.596
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-5994
pISSN - 0571-9283
DOI - 10.1111/imj.1964.13.1.40
Subject(s) - medicine , bronchiectasis , bronchoscopy , bronchitis , eosinophilia , dermatology , impaction , chronic bronchitis , prednisone , atelectasis , allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis , asthma , surgery , lung , pathology , immunology , immunoglobulin e , antibody
Summary Five patients with mucoid impaction of the major bronchi are described. The condition is almost certainly a variant of plastic or fibrinous bronchitis, a condition recognized for many centuries. It is probably less rare than hitherto believed. It is more common in patients with asthma and chronic bronchitis, but is not restricted to these diseases, as suggested elsewhere. It can readily mimic tuberculosis, carcinoma and Löffler's syndrome, and can lead to recurrent pneumonia, atelectasis, hæmoptysis and cystic bronchiectasis. The pathogenesis of mucoid impaction is unknown. The frequently associated eosinophilia suggests an allergic mechanism. One of our patients had a very successful result from prednisone therapy following at least five major episodes of bronchial impaction. Symptomatic medical treatment, including bronchoscopy and the exhibition of steroids if necessary, should be tried initially ; but in some cases major surgery may be necessary to remove areas of destroyed lung or to exclude carcinoma.