Reactive airways dysfunction syndrome presenting as a reversible restrictive defect.
A 25-year-old farm worker developed acute bronchopneumonia after heavy exposure to a respiratory irritant in a silo. He recovered from the acute episode but then experienced chronic dyspnea and fatigue. Pulmonary function testing showed small lung volumes with a normal ratio of 1 s forced expiratory volume/forced vital capacity (restrictive defect). This defect improved markedly with bronchodilator treatment and changed to a mixed obstructive/restrictive defect with methacholine challenge. We believe that this is an example of the reactive airways dysfunction syndrome manifested by a restrictive rather than obstructive defect. Constriction of airways at the bronchiole or alveolar duct level is the most likely cause of the syndrome.
Gilbert
R
R
Department of Medicine, State University of New York Health Science Center, Syracuse.
Auchincloss
J H
JH
D000328:Adult; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005203:Farmer's Lung / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D008297:Male; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D013147:Spirometry
D001993:Bronchodilator Agents