Plastic bronchitis as an unusual cause of mucus plugging in cystic fibrosis.
Cystic fibrosis patients are known to produce abundant, purulent sputum consisting mainly of DNA and cellular debris. We present a case of a CF patient with recurrent airway obstruction caused by a rare condition known as plastic bronchitis (PB). PB is characterized by the formation of casts of the airways that cause obstruction. Multiple etiologies have been proposed, but to our knowledge, no CF patient has been reported in any PB classification. Histological analysis and in-vitro testing of the cast were important factors in choosing the adequate therapy in this patient.
Mateos-Corral
Dimas
D
Division of Respiratory Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada. dimasmateos@yahoo.com
Cutz
Ernest
E
Solomon
Melinda
M
Ratjen
Felix
F
D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005100:Expectorants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009093:Mucus; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology
D005100:Expectorants; D000111:Acetylcysteine