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Pneumothorax in Pulmonary Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis^*

^* From the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine (Drs. Mendez, Nadrous, Vassallo, and Ryu) and Division of Biostatistics (Mr. Decker), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.

Correspondence to: Jay H. Ryu, MD, FCCP, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Desk East 18, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905; e-mail: ryu.jay{at}mayo.edu

Background: Pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis (PLCH) is a smoking-related interstitial lung disease characterized by development of cystic changes that predispose to occurrence of pneumothorax.

Study objectives: To determine the frequency, recurrence rate, and optimal management of pneumothorax associated with PLCH.

Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: Tertiary care, referral medical center.

Patients: One hundred two adults 18 years old with histologically confirmed PLCH seen at Mayo Clinic Rochester over a 23-year period from 1976 to 1998.

Interventions: None.

Measurements and results: Sixteen of 102 patients (16%) with PLCH had pneumothorax; mean age at the time of diagnosis was 29.4 years (range, 18 to 52 years), and all had smoked cigarettes. There were 37 episodes of pneumothoraces (1 to 5 episodes per patient); 10 patients (63%) had more than one episode. Median age at diagnosis of PLCH was significantly younger in patients with pneumothorax when compared to those without pneumothorax (27 years vs 41.5 years, p < 0.001), but pulmonary function parameters and survival after diagnosis were not significantly different. Rate of recurrent pneumothorax was 58% to the ipsilateral side when the episode was managed by observation or chest tube without pleurodesis, and 0% after surgical management with pleurodesis.

Conclusions: These data support the early use of surgical therapy with pleurodesis in managing patients with PLCH and spontaneous pneumothorax.

Key Words: histiocytosis X • Langerhans cell histiocytosis

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