Presentation
Past history severe emphysema. Attempt to reduce respiratory distress.
Patient Data
Hyperinflated lungs with paucity of lung markings in the upper zones indicative of bullous emphysema. Note metallic stents around the left hilum. They have a particular shape of an expanded distal end with a shorter, narrower section more proximally.
Note metallic stents around the left hilum. They have a particular shape of an expanded distal end with a shorter, narrower section more proximally.
Case Discussion
Endobronchial valves are inserted to reduce the pressure effects of bullae on adjacent more normal lung (in a similar way that surgical excision of large bullae has been undertaken in the past), in order to improve overall lung ventilation in patients with severe emphysema. They are "one-way" valves, i.e. air in the bronchus is prevented from entering the bullae but can escape causing them to deflate. This is effectively a bronchoscopic technique of lung volume reduction.
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