CTICasesPlastic Bronchitis
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Imaging findings
Chronic left lower lobe collapse, and in 2011, left upper lobe atelectasis. Airways appeared to stop, with a 'drowned lung' appearance, showing fluid in the airways. Bronchoscopic pictures showed 'plastic white stuff' (casts) exuding into the airways from lymphatic channels, causing inflammation and requiring debridement.
Key takeaways
Plastic bronchitis is a rare condition characterized by the formation of abnormal lymphatic drainage leading to the excretion of plastic casts into the airways. It causes recurrent lobar collapse and atelectasis. The etiology is unknown, but it's often seen in lymphatic abnormalities. Bronchoscopy is diagnostic, revealing the characteristic casts. This case provided excellent bronchoscopic correlation to imaging findings, which otherwise might just look like mucus plugging.
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