Journal of bronchology & interventional pulmonology
-
J Bronchology Interv Pulmonol · Jan 2012
Review Case ReportsBilateral pneumothorax after bronchoscopy without biopsy--a rare complication: case presentation and literature review.
Bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) are widely accepted diagnostic procedures in various pulmonary etiologies. Complications of bronchoscopy are relatively infrequent and most often minor, namely, bleeding and infection. Pneumothorax is a rare complication of bronchoscopy with transbronchial biopsy. ⋯ The pneumothorax was resolved with the chest tube and the patient recovered. However, the etiology of the pneumothorax remained unclear. We presume that cough-related increase in intrathoracic pressure might have led to interstitial air dissection and bilateral pneumothorax.