• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.33 no.9
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• pp.773-776
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• 2000

Accidental or suicidal fatalities of paraquat(Gramoxon) poisong are occasionally seen in the emergency room or intensive care unit in this country. In most cases, respiratory symptoms and eventual death by respiratory distress occur within several days. The most striking pathologic change is fibrosis of the lung due to widespread proliferation of fibroblastic cell. We experience a 21-year-old woman with huge bulla on left lung and diffuse fibrosis in other site, who ingested paraquat 10 months ago. After thoracoscopic removal of bulla, the patient survive without progression of pulmonary complication till now.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.9
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• pp.800-804
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• 2004

A 67-year-old male with a 6-year history of emphysema was admitted with severe dyspnea. On chest computed tomographic scan, a newly developed large bulla was detected in right lower hemithorax. This bulla was sucessfully managed by intracavitary drainage ［modified Monaldi procedure］ with symptomatic improvement. We report this case with review of the literature.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.408-413
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• 1996

In most cases of diffuse bullous emphysema and chronic obstructive lung disease, t e risk of surgical treatment is very high. But surgical treatment in selected cases of bullous emphysema with localized involvement of only one side of the lung has suggested safe and good management. So patient selection of surgical treatment Is one of the most important things in management of bullous emphysema. From 1987 to 1992, 11 patients were operated for bullous emphysema with giant bullae at the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery of Chonbuk National University Hospital. Author selected surgical candidates who had progressive dyspnea and symptomatic bullae occupying more than one third of the hemithorax and shifting the trachea and mediastinum to the opposite side of the lung. There were 7 males and 4 females ranged from 19 to 61 years of age. Operative procedures were bullectomy and/or wedge resection in 7 cases, segmentectomy in 2 cases and lobectomy in 2 cases. Symptoms and pulmonary function of all patients were improved six months to three years postoperat vely. There were no postoperative death. We conclude that surgical treatment of bullous emphysema with giant bullae is safe and a good treatment of modality in indicated patients.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.740-746
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• 2001

Background : A 35-year-old woman was admitted to the emergency room with sudden dyspnea that developed one day prior. The initial Chest X-ray showed multiple bullous changes at the right middle and lower lung field and long standing fibrotic tuberculous changes at the right upper lung field. The left lung field was totally collapsed by an fibrotic old tuberculous lesion. In spite of supportive medical care with oxygen therapy after admission, the radiographic lesions were no significant change but the respiratory distress had worsened. The patient suffered respiratory failure and received mechanical ventilatory support. The HRCT showed a localized tension pneumothorax mimicking multiple giant bullae at the right lower lung field. Immediately after a closed thoracostomy with a 32 French chest tube and air drainage, her vital signs and dyspnea were gradually improved. The patient was successfully weaned from mechanical ventilation after 5 days of mechanical ventilatory support. The patient had received talc pleurodesis through a chest tube to prevent the recurrence of the life-threatening localized pneumothorax. The patient was discharged without recurrence of the pneumothorax.