Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis with Coincidental Thoracic Injury Successful Bronchoalveolar Lavage with A Modified Fiberoptic Bronchoscope

Abstract

A 65-year-old laborer suffered thoracic injury in an accident. Ribs were fractured and chest X-ray films showed coincidental ground-glass, like opacities in both lung fields. CT indicated the possibility of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, which was confirmed by histological examination of the specimen obtained during therapeutic bronchoalveolar lavage.
A modified fiberoptic bronchoscope with a wedge device was used for segmental bronchoalveolar lavage. The wedge derice on a pediatric flexible fiberoptic bronchosiope allowed irrigation of six independent pulmonary segments, with no complication.
Six months after discharge, the patient had no evidence of relapse.