title: A breath from Houdini - A case of giant bullous emphysema.
abstract: We describe a case of a young man presenting with exertional dyspnea. His chest radiograph showed hyperlucency in his left lung, and he was subsequently diagnosed to have giant bullous emphysema. An approach to lesions of decreased attenuation on computed tomography of the chest, with a focus on cystic lung diseases is discussed. This is followed by a literature review of the clinical presentation, natural history, radiology and management of giant bullous emphysema. Although this is an uncommon condition, a clinician has to be cognizant of the fact that it may mimic other common respiratory diseases. This review highlights the importance of these caveats as misguided treatment options may lead to devastating consequences.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore.
authors.forename: Chee Kiang
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Tay
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore.
authors.forename: Yuen Li
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Ng
keywords: Cystic lung diseases; Giant bullous emphysema; Radiology