title: An unusual cause of spontaneous pneumothorax: the Mounier-Kuhn syndrome.
abstract: We present the case of a 54-year old woman referred to our service with an unusual presentation of an under-diagnosed condition. A life-long non-smoker, she was referred to respiratory services by our emergency department with a left sided pneumothorax, progressive dyspnoea on exertion, and recurrent chest infections. Subsequent investigation yielded findings consistent with Mounier-Kuhn syndrome (Tracheobronchomegaly), a condition characterised by marked dilatation of the proximal airways, recurrent chest infection, and consequent emphysema and bronchiectasis. Although rarely diagnosed, some degree of Mounier-Kuhn syndrome may occur in up to 1 in 500 adults.
authors: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Pulmonary and Sleep Disorders Unit, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin 4. briankent@physicians.ie
authors: B D
authors: BD
authors: Kent
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Sulaiman
authors: N B
authors: NB
authors: Akasheh
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Nadarajan
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Moloney
authors: S J
authors: SJ
authors: Lane
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D011859:Radiography; D014137:Tracheobronchomegaly / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*