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  • Title: Spontaneous thoracic air-leakage syndrome in patients following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: causes, CT-follow up and patient outcome.
    Author: Vogel M, Brodoefel H, Bethge W, Faul C, Hartmann J, Schimmel H, Wehrmann M, Claussen CD, Horger M.
    Journal: Eur J Radiol; 2006 Dec; 60(3):392-7. PubMed ID: 16916592.
    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to describe and illustrate the acute and follow-up imaging features, clinical constellation and outcome of patients with thoracic air-leakage syndrome following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HCT). METHODS: Patients with evidence of thoracic air-leakage, i.e. spontaneous pneumomediastinum, spontaneous pneumothorax or interstitial emphysema after allo-HCT were retrospectively identified by a chart review. Acute and follow-up morphology, duration and patient outcome were analyzed on CT (HRCT or MSCT with HR-reconstructions). Correlation was made with histological results of transbronchial biopsy. RESULTS: The 6 patients included (3 male and 3 female, 14-64 years old) with thoracic air-leakage after allo-HCT all had histologically proven bronchiolitis obliterans (BO) or bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP). Thoracic air-leakage consisted of spontaneous pneumomediastinum associated with active invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in 4/6 and spontaneous pneumothorax or interstitial emphysema each in 1/6 patients. Duration of thoracic air-leakage was 7-135 days. Of the patients with spontaneous pneumomediastinum, 3/4 died of IPA. One patient survived until complete regression of spontaneous pneumomediastinum. One patient died 7 days after spontaneous pneumothorax and one survived developing chronic interstitial emphysema. CONCLUSION: In all cases, thoracic air-leakage was associated to BO or BOOP. In the majority of cases with additional IPA, thoracic air-leakage is more indicative for severity of pulmonary disease than a life-threatening entity itself.
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