Vanishing Lung Syndrome in a Patient With HIV Infection and Heavy Marijuana Use

Basheer Tashtoush,Fernando Gonzalez-Ibarra,Parag Chevli

doi:10.1378/chest.1701111

Basheer Tashtoush, Fernando Gonzalez-Ibarra + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.1378/chest.1701111

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Abstract

Vanishing Lung Syndrome in a Patient With HIV Infection and Heavy Marijuana Use

Highlights

Termed giant bullous emphysema (GBE), is a rare syndrome first described by Burke in 1937 [1]
It is an idiopathic and distinct clinical syndrome that affects young men, usually smokers. It causes severe progressive dyspnea and is characterized by extensive, predominantly asymmetric upper lobe bullous emphysema, which may eventually lead to respiratory failure [2]
Case reports have suggested an additive role of marijuana smoking in the development of this disease in young male smokers where tobacco consumption was less than what is commonly associated with the development of emphysema [3, 4]

Summary

Introduction

Termed giant bullous emphysema (GBE), is a rare syndrome first described by Burke in 1937 [1]. It is an idiopathic and distinct clinical syndrome that affects young men, usually smokers. We report a case of a 65-year-old male diagnosed with end stage emphysema for 3 years, AIDS, and a history of heavy marijuana smoking. He presents to the hospital in acute respiratory distress with multiple large peripheral lung bullae on chest CT consistent with vanishing lung syndrome

Case Presentation

Discussion

Findings

Conclusion