Giant pulmonary bullae mistaken for pneumothorax.

Differentiating between giant pulmonary bullae and pneumothorax can pose a challenge in clinical settings. A chest CT scan during the patient's health assessment revealed that approximately 40% of the right chest cavity was filled with air, leading to incomplete expansion of the right lung. The patient was initially misdiagnosed with pneumothorax in the emergency department and subsequently underwent closed thoracic drainage without experiencing any improvement in symptoms. Upon further examination through thoracoscopy, the patient was correctly diagnosed with a giant pulmonary bulla. Upon reviewing the patient's chest CT scan, we were able to identify key distinguishing features between giant pulmonary bullae and pneumothorax.

Radiographic characterization of the maxillary septum and septal bullae in horses: An ex vivo study.

The anatomical variations of the maxillary septum and the septal bullae can generate challenges during the interpretation of radiographs of the horses' heads and make it difficult to accurately identify the sites affected in sinus disorders. The description of the radiographic appearance of these structures is currently scarce in the scientific literature. This work aims to describe the anatomical and radiographic characteristics of the maxillary septum and maxillary septal bullae in horses. Six chemically preserved equine cadaver heads were used which, after being submitted to the maxillary osseous flap, the maxillary septum and its respective bullae were identified. Radiographic examinations before and after contrast impregnation on these structures were performed. The positioning of the maxillary septum varied between the anatomical specimens and between the sides of the same specimen. The 30° oblique dorsoventral lateral and lateral projections allowed the identification of the maxillary septum and septal bullae. However, the bullae remained superimposed on the dental arches in the dorsoventral projections with the mandible in a neutral position or with the mandible displaced. The oblique offset radiographic positioning was suggested and proved effective for the examination of the maxillary septal bullae, where the mandible was displaced to the side of the bullae to be examined, and the radiographic beam inclined in the same direction. The maxillary septum and its bullae could be properly identified in a macroscopic way after the osseous flap and the contrasted radiographic examination allowed its adequate interpretation. Variations in size and position are considered normal for the equine species.

Treating Spontaneous Pneumothorax Using an Innovative Surgical Technique Called Capnodissection Pleurectomy: Case Report.

Spontaneous pneumothorax is one of the most common conditions encountered in thoracic surgery. This condition can be treated conservatively or surgically based on indications and guidelines. Traditional surgical management includes pleurodesis (mechanical or chemical) in addition to bullectomy if the bullae can be identified. Mechanical pleurodesis is usually performed by surgical pleurectomy or pleural abrasion. In this case report, we present a case of a young patient with spontaneous pneumothorax who needed a surgical intervention. We performed a new, innovative surgical technique for surgical pleurectomy where we used carbon dioxide for dissection of the parietal pleura (capnodissection). This technique may provide similar efficiency to the traditional procedure but with less risk of bleeding and complications.

Eschar Formation Following Coma Bullae: A Case Report.

Coma blisters, or coma bullae, are lesions often seen in the setting of impaired consciousness. Most commonly associated with drug-induced comas, coma bullae have been repeatedly linked to central nervous system (CNS) depressing agents, such as opiates. These lesions are believed to develop due to a complex multifactorial process involving external pressure on the skin, which leads to hypoxia and eventual death of eccrine sweat glands. In addition, the vasoactive and inflammatory properties of CNS depressing agents may play a role in this process. Come bullae usually develop on pressure points 48-72 hours after the onset of impaired consciousness and are self-limiting. We present the case of a 68-year-old male who was brought to the emergency department after being found unresponsive on the street. The urine drug screen was positive for cocaine and fentanyl. The initial examination showed several large, non-tender bullae on his scalp that continued to expand over two days. He subsequently developed similar lesions on his thighs, right shoulder, and knuckles. Dermatology was consulted and clinically diagnosed the patient with coma bullae, likely attributed to his altered consciousness and opiate use. Notably, more violaceous bullae were found on the bilateral lower extremities, with dermatology suspecting additional vasculitic features related to concurrent opiate and cocaine use. Skin biopsy and aspiration were deferred to avoid the risk of infection, and the patient was discharged per dermatology's recommendations for no immediate intervention. He continued to follow with wound care for the next six months, with most of the bullae healing. However, eschars developed over the scalp and left lower extremity, requiring debridement by general surgery. This case report underscores a unique manifestation of coma bullae. Unlike typical presentations localized to pressure-dependent areas and appearing after two to three days of unconsciousness, our patient exhibited blisters in atypical sites with associated vasculitic features. Moreover, the development of eschars over time may be linked to ongoing vasoactive drug use, reperfusion injury, and social determinants of health. This case highlights the complex and multifactorial nature of coma bullae, emphasizing the challenges in wound care and management despite their expected self-resolution.

Bullous Lung Disease due to Pulmonary Tuberculosis: A Rare Case Complicated With Tension Pneumothorax and Bronchopleural Fistula.

Bullous lung disease caused by tuberculosis is rare, and complications have a poor prognosis with uncertain pathophysiologic mechanisms. We describe a 29-year-old male patient who was admitted to the emergency department due to bilateral tension pneumothorax, which was complicated by bronchopleural fistula. This was managed with the placement of chest tubes, continuity of anti-TB drug treatment, and Heimlich valve placement.

Finger Necrotizing Fasciitis and Septicemia Caused by Vibrio vulnificus.

Background: Vibrio vulnificus infections develop rapidly and have high mortality and disability rates. Vibrio vulnificus can cause local wound infection, gastroenteritis, or septicemia. Case Presentation: In this case, an 86-year-old male was accidentally stabbed in the middle of his right thumb while cleaning whitewater fish and came to the emergency department with high fever and painful swelling of the right hand. Physical examination revealed hemorrhagic bullae in the right hand. Emergency surgery and bacterial culture were performed. Because of timely antibiotic use and surgical treatment, the patient eventually recovered and was discharged from the hospital. Conclusions: This case suggests that the possibility of Vibrio vulnificus should be considered in cases of severe infection of the extremities, even without a history of seafood consumption or seawater exposure. Early recognition, rational choice of antibiotic agents, and timely wound debridement can substantially improve the prognosis of patients and reduce mortality.

Prospective Observation Study for Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax: Incidence of and Risk Factors for Postoperative Neogenesis of Bullae.

PURPOSE: Details of the neogenesis of bullae (NOB), which causes recurrent primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) following bullectomy, have not been reported and risk factors for NOB remain unclear. We aimed to clarify the details of NOB. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study using three computed tomography (CT) examinations performed 6, 12, and 24 months after bullectomy to identify the incidence of and risk factors for NOB. We enrolled 50 patients who underwent bullectomy for PSP. RESULTS: After excluding 11 patients who canceled the postoperative CT examination at 6 months after bullectomy, only 39 patients were analyzed. The incidence of NOB at 6, 12, and 24 months after bullectomy was 38.5%, 55.2%, and 71.2%, respectively. The rate of NOB in the operated lung was almost 2 times higher than that in the contralateral nonoperative lung. Male sex, multiple bullae on preoperative CT, long stapling line (≥7 cm), deep stapling depth (≥1.5 cm), and heavier resected sample (≥5 g) were suggested to be risk factors for NOB. CONCLUSIONS: We recognized a high incidence of postoperative NOB in PSP patients. Bullectomy itself seems to promote NOB. Postoperative NOB occurs frequently, especially in patients who require a large-volume lung resection with a long staple line.

Bullous striae distensae in a nephrotic syndrome patient: First case report from the Middle East of a rare presentation and review of the literature.

Striae distensae is a common cutaneous phenomenon that begins as reddish linear atrophic plaques (striae rubra) that over time progress to silvery-white coloration (stria alba). Striae distensae in rare occasions becomes edematous, ulcerative, emphysematous, or urticated. Bullous striae distensae is a sequela of conditions causing interstitial edema along with systemic glucocorticoids use. To our knowledge, only eight cases of bullous striae distensae have been reported in the literature. Herein, we report a 17-year-old female, known case of nephrotic syndrome, presented to our clinic with abdominal fluid-fill cutaneous lesions only for 5 days. She had used systemic glucocorticoids for more than a decade before she was labeled as steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome. Cushingoid body habitus were observed during physical examination, in addition to translucent bullae overlying her previously known stretch marks. Punch biopsy of the lesions revealed dermal edema with thinned collagen bundles. Based on these clinicopathological findings, a diagnosis of bullous striae distensae was made. Awareness of this rare complication and unusual clinical presentation is fundamental to avoid unnecessary and excessive interventions whether investigatory or therapeutic in order to provide appropriate management of the underlying condition.

Vanishing Lung Syndrome: A Case Report and Systematic Review of the Literature.

Vanishing lung syndrome (VLS), also known as idiopathic giant bullous emphysema, is defined by the emergence of sizable bullae causing compression on healthy lung tissue. The elusive etiology of VLS mandates a diagnosis based on radiographic evidence showcasing giant bullae occupying at least one-third of the hemithorax in one or both lungs. This report presents a case of VLS in a 36-year-old female smoker devoid of any prior medical history. Additionally, we conducted a systematic review to discern the demographics, risk factors, and treatment modalities for individuals diagnosed with VLS.

Prevalence of middle ear effusion in French bulldogs without clinical signs of otic disease: A retrospective study of magnetic resonance imaging (2017-2022).

BACKGROUND: Canine middle ear effusion (MEE) is usually asymptomatic, being an incidental finding when computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head is performed for other reasons unrelated to otic disease. The clinical relevance of the presence of material in the tympanic bulla (TB) remains uncertain, and more detail about its prevalence and appearance in MRI are required. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of presence of material within the TB of French bulldogs (FB) with no clinical signs suggestive of otitis (externa, media or interna) that underwent high-field MRI for other medical reasons. ANIMALS: Two hundred fifty-two TB of 126 FB were included in this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nonexperimental retrospective study in which MRI images were evaluated by a board-certified veterinary radiologist. RESULTS: Fifty-eight per cent of the dogs had material in the TB lumen (46% of the TB) and 59% were bilaterally affected. The signal intensity of this material related to the grey matter was variable on T1w and mainly hyperintense on T2w sequences. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: FB are predisposed to MEE. This is important when assessing imaging studies of TB of FB with chronic otitis externa, as high percentage of cases may have concurrent MEE. MRI findings in FB with MEE are characterised by a hyperintense signal to the grey matter on T2w in most cases and variable on T1w sequences.

Acute Airway Compromise Due to Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum in COVID-19 Infection and Subsequent Rapid Formation of Pulmonary Subpleural Bullae: A Case Report.

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM), an increasingly documented complication of COVID-19 infection, usually presents with retrosternal chest pain and dyspnea but can present atypically. In this case, an exceptionally rare presentation could have led to inappropriate management and a poor outcome. Here, a previously healthy 41-year-old Afro-Caribbean male non-smoker presents with acute airway compromise due to SPM. Conservative management proved effective, with anxiolysis to mitigate patient self-induced lung injury (PSILI) and oxygen supplementation via a non-rebreather mask to increase the resolution rate till the patient stabilized over the following days. The sequelae of the lung insult were noted in subsequent imaging, showing the formation of many subpleural bullae. Our case demonstrates the need for a high index of suspicion for pneumomediastinum among teams caring for COVID-19 cases. It also highlights the potential need for follow-up for further research on pulmonary sequelae.

Transient neonatal pustular melanosis: An unusual and challenging eruption.

TNPM is a benign, transient, neonatal pustulosis requiring no active treatment. Diagnosis is clinical, characterized by a vesiculopustular eruption, healing with residual hyperpigmented macules. Before diagnosing TNPM, serious conditions including skin infections should be excluded. This case was unusual in that vesiculobullae predominated, with a notable absence of simple pustules.

Bullous pemphigoid in a previously healthy adolescent: a case report and literature review.

Introduction: Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is considered the most common bullous autoimmune disorder, characterized by autoantibodies directed against hemidesmosomes in the skin and mucous membranes. It usually affects elderly individuals in the sixth through eighth decades of life, with an average age at onset of 65 years. Only a few cases have been reported in children and teenagers. Case presentation: Herein, we report a 17-year-old boy who presented with a pruritic vesicular rash on his arms and legs accompanied by erythema. He was treated at the beginning with topical lotion and acyclovir, but the rash kept deteriorating and eventually bullae appeared, involving also his mouth. A dermatologist was consulted and diagnosed him with BP, and he was treated accordingly. Discussion: BP is the most prevalent autoimmune bullous illness, caused by autoantibodies against hemidesmosomes in the basement membrane of skin and mucosal surfaces, which in turn attract immune cells, including T-cells and neutrophils, and activate them, which causes damage to and separation of keratinocytes, resulting in the bullous formation. Diagnosis can be accomplished by recognizing clinical symptoms supported by histopathological and immunofluorescence testing. Steroids, whether topical or systemic, are the cornerstone treatment; depending on the extent of the disease, other immunosuppressant drugs can be used as a second line. Conclusion: BP manifestations are polymorphic; physicians should keep in mind that they may present with non-bullous, pruritic lesions, which may persist for some days to several months before bullae appear. Although this disease is rare in the young population, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of bullous lesions.

Elective over emergency: The role of precise diagnosis in managing Giant bullae in COPD patients - A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Bullous lung disease, characterized by large air-filled spaces in lung tissue, includes a significant subset called "giant bullae," occupying over 30 % of a hemithorax, often linked to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Accurate differentiation between giant bullous emphysema and pneumothorax is crucial to prevent unintended interventions. Misdiagnosing as pneumothorax might lead to chest tube placement with associated complications, including hemothorax, empyema, continuous air leak, prolonging hospitalization and increasing healthcare costs. CASE PRESENTATION: A 42-year-old male, with a COPD history and marijuana use, presented to the ED with recurring sharp right chest pain exacerbated by expiration and shortness of breath. Initial assessment raised pneumothorax suspicions. A medical history and chart review revealed a CT from five years prior, indicating a 6 cm bulla in the right upper lung. A confirming CT scan diagnosed a bulla, leading to elective bullectomy scheduling. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Distinguishing between giant bullous emphysema and pneumothorax is pivotal. This report underscores diagnostic precision's importance, accentuating therapeutic considerations for lung bullae in COPD patients. Misdiagnosis risks chest tube placement, necessitating awareness of associated complications. CONCLUSION: This case highlights accurate diagnosis's importance and differential analysis. Misdiagnosis repercussions, from patient care to costs, underscore the diagnosis's critical significance. This extends to urgency scenarios, emphasizing diagnosis's role in patient outcomes optimization. The case confirmed a giant bulla diagnosis, prompting elective bullectomy without chest tube placement.

Case Report: Ribociclib-induced phototoxicity presented as dyschromia with subsequent bullae formation.

Ribociclib, a cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitor, is a novel targeted therapy for advanced-stage breast cancer. Although ribociclib-induced cutaneous side effects have been previously noted, they have not been well documented. Herein, we present a case of ribociclib-induced phototoxicity, which manifested as dyschromia over sun-exposed forearms and neck initially and as bullae formation subsequently. A 71-year-old woman with metastatic breast cancer developed dyschromia after daily treatment with ribociclib (600 mg) for 7 months. Skin biopsy of the pigmented lesion revealed interface dermatitis with melanin incontinence and dyskeratotic cells and ballooning keratinocytes with loss of melanocytes in the basal layer. Further, clefting at the basal layer of epidermis was noted in a more hyperpigmented field. Fontana-Masson staining revealed melanophages in the dermis. Human Melanoma Black-45 staining revealed decreased melanocyte numbers in the epidermis above the cleft. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed activated CD1a+ epidermal Langerhans cells and infiltrating CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the epidermis and dermis, thereby indicating type IV hypersensitivity that was associated with damage to keratinocytes and melanocytes. To prevent progression of bullous dermatitis, we advised the patient to discontinue ribociclib and prescribed oral and topical prednisolone. Due to the risk of phototoxicity, we educated the patient on sun-protection strategies. The patient's skin lesions subsided during the 2 months of treatment. Phototoxicity with dyschromia is a rare but significant ribociclib-induced cutaneous side effect. Early diagnosis, rapid ribociclib withdrawal, protection from sunlight, and prompt treatment are critical for preventing subsequent severe bullous dermatosis.

Bullous scabies, the light shed on etiopathogenesis and treatment: report of five paediatric cases.

Introduction: Bullous scabies (BS) is an infrequent and atypical presentation of scabies, with a predilection for elderly males. The mechanism of BS is not fully understood; superinfection, friction due to pruritus, autoeczemation, direct injury from mite's lytic enzymes, cross-reactivity of scabies protein with basal membrane zone antigens are considered to be possible reasons. Aim: To define clinical features of paediatric BS cases, which is an extremely rare subtype of scabies. Material and methods: This is a retrospective study of paediatric BS cases seen at two tertiary care centres. Previously described bacterial culture, antibiogram and follow-up records were investigated retrospectively. Confirmed scabies cases, according to the "International Alliance for the Control of Scabies (IACS)" with bullae were included. All cases were treated with 10% sulfur ointment for 3 consecutive days, two cycles. Households of cases were also treated simultaneously. Systemic antibiotics were added to patients with elevated acute phase reactants according to the antibiogram results. Informed consent was obtained from patients' parents. Results: Five BS cases were included. Three cases were male, two cases were female. Four cases had staphylococcus aureus, one had group-A beta haemolytic streptococcus positive bullae culture. All cases achieved a rapid complete resolution of symptoms after topical 10% sulfur ointment. Conclusions: Paediatric BS is an extremely rare entity of scabies. Bacterial superinfection plays a key role in bullae formation. 10% sulfur ointment is a highly effective treatment option for paediatric BS.

Bilateral giant emphysematous bullae complicate severe bronchial asthma in a young patient: case report.

Giant bullous emphysema is a progressive bullous disease that affects young male smokers. Bullae are unilateral and mostly present in the apical lobes. Inflammatory diseases are less common cause of underlying emphysematous deterioration of the lung than tobacco smoking or genetic conditions such as Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. The current instance, however, is relatively rare because it involved a nonsmoking 14-year-old boy who was diagnosed with asthma for 8 years, and he was taking bronchodilators inhalers during acute exacerbation of asthma; he presented to the tertiary health facility with on-and-off episodes of difficulties in breathing and chest tightness for 2 weeks despite being on maximal therapy for his asthma. He was diagnosed with bilateral large emphysematous bullae by high-resolution computed tomography scan, where staged bilateral bullectomy was performed. Thoracotomy-based bullae excision is still a feasible option for improving pulmonary function and the overall quality of life of patients with giant bullae emphysema in resource-limited settings.