Massive lung collapse with partial resolution after several years: a case report.
BACKGROUND
Bronchitis obliterans is a severe and extremely rare complication of respiratory tract infections in children and is characterized by massive atelectasis and collapse of the affected lung. Of the rare cases reported in the literature all surviving children underwent surgical resection of the collapsed lung.


METHODS
We report an infant with bronchitis obliterans that was treated conservatively. 5 years after the initial event, partial lung re-expansion was documented.


CONCLUSIONS
This case therefore supports a conservative treatment whenever possible with pneumonectomy only as a last treatment option.
Govaere
Elke
E
Dept of Pediatrics, University Hospital of Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. Elke.Govaere@olvz-aalst.be
Van Raemdonck
Dirk
D
Devlieger
Hugo
H
Smet
Maria-Helena
MH
Verbeken
Eric
E
Proesmans
Marijke
M
De Boeck
Kris
K
D001989:Bronchiolitis Obliterans / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001996:Bronchopneumonia / Q000150:complications*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D001261:Pulmonary Atelectasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D011859:Radiography