Vanishing lung syndrome vs emphysematous bulla: 2 interesting cases

Abstract

Vanishing lung syndrome (VLS) is a rare radiological syndrome in which the lungs seem to disappear on chest radiograph. It is a chronic, progressive disorder usually affecting young male smokers and is characterised by giant emphysematous bullae, which commonly develop in the upper lobes. A rare case of a 28-year-old female patient who had no history of smoking, presented with chronic cough, expectoration and weight loss, is described. Radiograph and CT chest revealed findings suggestive of giant bullous disease/vanishing lung syndrome. Bronchoscopy showed copious purulent secretions. In view of recurrent infections and weight loss, the patient referred to surgeon for possible bullectomy, after controlling the infection. Another patient was a middle aged lady who presented with breathlessness was found to have severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). CT evaluation revealed large emphysematous bulla in right lower lobe along with chronic pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE).

Keywords

• Vanishing lung syndrome
• giant emphysematous bullae
• bullectomy
• young female