title: Pneumothorax complicating fatal bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia.
abstract: Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP) is an uncommon pulmonary disorder, the clinical spectrum of which is variable. We present a fatal case of BOOP, which developed spontaneous pneumothorax, a complication considered rare. Unusual was also the upper lobe distribution of the infiltrates. The histologically diagnosed disease failed to respond to antibiotics and corticosteroids and the 74-year-old patient eventually succumbed with acute respiratory distress syndrome, 50 days after disease onset. Spontaneous pneumothorax should be added to the complications of BOOP, which may adversely affect prognosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Crete School of Medicine and University Hospital, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Kofteridis
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Bouros
authors.forename: L N
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Vamvakas
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Stefanaki
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Voludaki
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Barbounakis
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Emmanouel
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D018549:Cryptogenic Organizing Pneumonia / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D016952:Legionella pneumophila / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed