Endobronchial valves for emphysema

Case contributed by Luke Danaher
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Known emphysema. Increasing shortness of breath.

Patient Data

Age: 60 years
Gender: Male
  • 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.

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