The Journal of the Japanese Respiratory Society ONLINE JOURNAL
ABSTRACT
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Article in Japanese
Case Report
A case of chronic pigeon breeder's disease accompanied with progressive pulmonary cysts and recurrent pneumothorax
Kazuyoshi Kurashima, Noboru Takayanagi, Mikio Ubukata, Daido Tokunaga, Hidekazu Matsushima, Nagato Sato, Yuri Maeno, Tsutomu Yanagisawa, Yutaka Sugita, Kanazawa Minoru and Yoshinori Kawabata
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Saitama Cardiovascular and Respiratory Center, 1696 Itai, Konan, Ohsato, Saitama, Japan
ABSTRACT
We followed up a case of chronic pigeon breeder's disease with progressive pulmonary cysts and recurrent pneumothorax. The patient was a 48-year-old man who started to breed pigeons 14 years ago. He was diagnosed 7 years ago as having hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to pigeons, but he refused to stay away from the birds until he experienced episodes of dyspnea on exertion 3 years ago. A chest CT scan showed multiple cysts and peribronchial fibrosis in both lungs. The pathological findings of video-assisted-tracheoscopic surgery showed a centribronchial granuloma with lymphocyte infiltrations. Tests for antibodies against pigeon extracts of droppings were positive. Even after steroid treatment and avoidance of pigeons 3 years ago, there have been progressive cysts and fibrosis in the lungs. Progressive pulmonary cysts with recurrent pneumothorax is a rare manifestation as a chronic pigeon breeder's disease.
KEYWORDS: Chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis, Pigeon breeder's disease, Emphysematous change, Obstructive lung disease, Pulmonary fibrosis
RECEIVED: 2002.12.26
JJRS, 41(6): 416-420, 2003
