Measuring subepithelial thickness using endobronchial ultrasonography in a patient with asthma: a case report.
The chronic inflammation of bronchial asthma is characterized by swelling of the subepithelial mucosa. However, it is difficult to assess subepithelial edema clinically. We report the case of a patient with asthma whose subepithelial edema was evaluated by endobronchial ultrasonography. Receiving montelukast 10 mg/day for 2 weeks, a 42-year-old man with mild, persistent asthma had his symptoms controlled by beta2-inhalation alone. Pretreatment endobronchial ultrasonography revealed subepithelial thickening in the right main stem bronchus, with a low absorption area suggestive of edema. Two weeks of montelukast therapy diminished the amount of subepithelial edema. Endobronchial ultrasonography is a promising technique for determining subepithelial edema in the asthmatic airway.
Yamasaki
A
A
Third Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, 36-1 Nishi-machi, Yonago-shi, Tottori-ken 683-8504, Japan.
Tomita
K
K
Sano
H
H
Watanabe
M
M
Makino
H
H
Kurai
J
J
Hitsuda
Y
Y
Shimizu
E
E
D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001980:Bronchi / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001995:Bronchography; D004487:Edema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D019160:Endosonography; D004848:Epithelium / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed