Presentation
Known emphysema. Increasing shortness of breath.
Patient Data
Age: 60 years
Gender: Male
From the case:
Endobronchial valves for emphysema
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- architectural distortion, hyperinflation, and lung destruction consistent with know emphysema
- large bilateral apical bullae
- small to moderate left apical pneumothorax
- endobronchial valves at the left hilum
- left chest wall subcutaneous emphysema (recent ICC removal)
- ill-defined round airspace opacity in the left mid zone (requires CT for exclusion of underlying malignancy)
- magnified view: endobronchial valves (Zephyr)
Case Discussion
Endobronchial valves are introduced bronchoscopically to provide a one way valve to hyperinflated lung segments. This allows airways shunting to unaffected areas and reduce VQ mismatching. This patient is awaiting a lung transplant.