Bronchiolitis obliterans: an update.
OBJECTIVE
Bronchiolitis obliterans (BO) occurs in both post-lung transplant and nontransplant-related individuals, and is characterized by mainly irreversible airflow obstruction that is often ultimately progressive.


RESULTS
While post-lung transplant BO is a major cause of lung allograft dysfunction, and hence is better characterized than nontransplant-related BO, it is likely that many similarities in pathogenesis and treatment apply to both categories.


CONCLUSIONS
Optimal management for BO remains to be established, and the role of retransplantation in this disease requires further consensus. Minimization of risk factors for BO and earlier detection in the form of methacholine challenge testing and HRCT scans of the chest amongst other forms of detection, may help in the stabilization and possible resolution of early BO.
Chan
Andrew
A
Pulmonary Division, University of California, Davis, California, USA.
Allen
Roblee
R
D001706:Biopsy; D001980:Bronchi / Q000473:pathology*; D001989:Bronchiolitis Obliterans / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D006084:Graft Rejection; D006801:Humans; D016040:Lung Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015995:Prevalence; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed