Middle aged man with Crohn’s disease referred for cough, mucus production.
CT scan showed diffuse bronchiectasis and narrowed BI.
Bronchiectasis is associated with Crohn’s disease, see Review of pulmonary involvement of Crohn’s – often with suppurative mucus. Unclear if treatment of Crohn’s improves pulmonary features.
Focusing on tracheobronchial stenosis – malignancy, chronic infections, inflammatory (GPA, relapsing polychondritis, associated with IBD, amyloid)
Underwent dilation with IP -> path showing chronic inflammation, cultures negative for infectious organisms -> significant symptomatic improvement.
Thanks, Dr. Ludwig! Happy Halloween!
Amy Ludwig, MD, Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine