Spontaneous resolution of a giant pulmonary bulls

There are different causes leading to formation of pulmonary bullae, in par ticular tuberculosis. There is some debate concerning the pathophysiology o f bullae extension although two mechanisms are put forward: partial obstruc tion of the airways and elastic recoil of adjacent lung parenchyma with a n egative pressure in the bullae. Pulmonary function tests are highly perturbed in patients with giant bullae . The natural hhistory of bullae is enlargement although spontaneous regres sion is rarely described. Bullae should be resected in selected patients, o thers require careful follow-up. We present the case of a man with tubercul osis who developed a giant pulmonary bulla that regressed spontaneousy in a few years.