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  • Title: Spontaneous pneumothorax and air travel in Pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis: A patient survey.
    Author: Singla A, Kopras EJ, Gupta N.
    Journal: Respir Investig; 2019 Nov; 57(6):582-589. PubMed ID: 31563637.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: The optimal approach for management of spontaneous pneumothoraces (SPs) and the safety of air travel in patients with pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis (PLCH) are not well established. METHODS: Patients with PLCH were recruited from the Rare Lung Diseases Clinic Network and the Histiocytosis Association, and surveyed about disease manifestations and safety of air travel. RESULTS: A total of 94 patients completed the survey. Median age at diagnosis of PLCH was 40 years (range: 15-67 years). Average interval between symptom onset and diagnosis was 2.9 years (range: -4 to 31 years). Twenty-two patients (23%) had at least one SP, of which 14 (64%) had at least one additional SP that showed either an ipsilateral recurrence (10 patients; 45%) or a contralateral recurrence (8 patients; 36%). Mean age at the time of first SP was 29 years. SP was the presenting manifestation that led to the diagnosis of PLCH in 19% of patients, typically after the second episode. Surgical pleurodesis reduced the recurrence rate of SP by half in comparison with conservative management (29% vs. 65%, p = 0.025). Two patients experienced an episode of SP during air travel, consistent with an air travel-related pneumothorax rate of 2.4% per patient and 0.27% per flight. CONCLUSIONS: SP is a common manifestation of PLCH, can be seen in approximately one-fourth of the patients, and has a high recurrence risk. Surgical pleurodesis leads to a substantial reduction in the SP recurrence risk. The risk of an air travel-related SP in patients with PLCH is about 2-3 per thousand flights. TRIAL REGISTRY CLINICALTRIALS.GOV: NCT03052101.
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