Abstract
A 28 year-old woman felt shortness of breath on exertion and anterior chest discomfort. The chest roentgenogram on admission showed a decrease in the vascular markings of the left lung and a niveau in the bilateral upper lung fields. The computed tomography of the chest showed a giant bulla which occupied nearly the entire left thoracic cavity and expanded into the right upper thorax beyond the mediastinum. Vital capacity (VC) was 1220ml, %VC was 38.9%, forced expiratory volume in one second (EFV1.0) was 1120ml and FEV1.0% was 93.3%. The above data suggested restrictive ventilatory defects. Blood gas analysis was within normal limits. On a diagnosis of giant bulla, she underwent bullectomy and thoracoplasty. After the operation both her complaints and respiratory function were remarkably improved.
