LONG-TERM COURSE OF BRONCHIECTASIS AND BRONCHIOLITIS OBLITERANS AS LATE COMPLICATION OF SMOKE-INHALATION

We describe the long-term course of a patient with bronchiectasis and bronchiolitis obliterans, both of which developed as late complication s of a smoke inhalation injury. Sequential chest X-rays obtained durin g the observation period showed gradual progression of bronchiectasis from the saccular to the cystic type. Symptoms, spirometry and blood g as analysis, however, remained stable for 15 years. We believe that sy mptoms and physiological derangement were due mainly to bronchiolitis obliterans, and that once the pathophysiological condition had been es tablished following the initial injury, it could be maintained by cons ervative medical management.