Abstract
Lung transplant patients commonly undergo transbronchial biopsy to evaluate for rejection. Post-biopsy radiographs are used to exclude pneumothorax, one of the most common major complications. We report a lung transplant patient who developed a pneumothorax 5 months after transbronchial biopsy, with multiple intervening chest computed tomograms documenting that the pneumothorax developed from the biopsy site. This case illustrates that in transplant patients transbronchial biopsy can evolve to pneumothorax several months later, despite normal post-biopsy radiographs.
Footnotes
- Correspondence: Gregory Kicska MD PhD, Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Box 357115, Seattle WA 98195-7115. E-mail: kicskag{at}uw.edu.
Dr Pipavath has disclosed a relationship with GE Healthcare and Amrsys Publishers. The other authors have disclosed no conflicts of interest.
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