Diffuse aspiration bronchiolitis: analysis of 20 consecutive patients.

OBJECTIVE: Aspiration can cause a variety of pulmonary syndromes, some of which are not well recognized. The objective of this study was to assess the demographic, clinical, radiological, and histopathological correlates of diffuse aspiration bronchiolitis (DAB), a bronchiolocentric disorder caused by recurrent aspiration. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 20 consecutive patients with DAB seen at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, between January 1, 1998 and June 30, 2014. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 56.5 years (range, 22-76 years), and the male/female ratio was 2.3:1.0. In 18 patients, the diagnosis of DAB was based on the results of a lung biopsy; in the 2 remaining patients, it was based on clinical and radiological features, together with documented aspiration observed in a videofluoroscopic swallow study. In 19 patients (95%), we identified predisposing factors for aspiration, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), drug abuse, and dysphagia. Common presenting features included cough, sputum production, dyspnea, and fever. Twelve patients (60%) had a history of recurrent pneumonia. In all of the patients, chest CT revealed bilateral pulmonary infiltrates consisting of micronodules and tree-in-bud opacities. In the majority of patients, interventions aimed at preventing recurrent aspiration (e.g., anti-GERD therapies) led to improvement in the symptoms of DAB. CONCLUSIONS: Young to middle-aged subjects with recognizable predisposing factors for aspiration and who report a history of recurrent pneumonia are at increased risk for DAB. Although DAB is not well recognized, certain chest CT features are characteristic of the disorder.

Diffuse aspiration bronchiolitis: analysis of 20 consecutive patients / Bronquiolite aspirativa difusa: análise de 20 pacientes consecutivos

OBJECTIVE: Aspiration can cause a variety of pulmonary syndromes, some of which are not well recognized. The objective of this study was to assess the demographic, clinical, radiological, and histopathological correlates of diffuse aspiration bronchiolitis (DAB), a bronchiolocentric disorder caused by recurrent aspiration. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 20 consecutive patients with DAB seen at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, between January 1, 1998 and June 30, 2014. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 56.5 years (range, 22-76 years), and the male/female ratio was 2.3:1.0. In 18 patients, the diagnosis of DAB was based on the results of a lung biopsy; in the 2 remaining patients, it was based on clinical and radiological features, together with documented aspiration observed in a videofluoroscopic swallow study. In 19 patients (95%), we identified predisposing factors for aspiration, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), drug abuse, and dysphagia. Common presenting features included cough, sputum production, dyspnea, and fever. Twelve patients (60%) had a history of recurrent pneumonia. In all of the patients, chest CT revealed bilateral pulmonary infiltrates consisting of micronodules and tree-in-bud opacities. In the majority of patients, interventions aimed at preventing recurrent aspiration (e.g., anti-GERD therapies) led to improvement in the symptoms of DAB. CONCLUSIONS: Young to middle-aged subjects with recognizable predisposing factors for aspiration and who report a history of recurrent pneumonia are at increased risk for DAB. Although DAB is not well recognized, certain chest CT features are characteristic of the disorder. .

OBJETIVO: A aspiração pode causar diferentes síndromes pulmonares, algumas das quais não são bem reconhecidas. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as correlações demográficas, clínicas, radiológicas e histopatológicas da bronquiolite aspirativa difusa (BAD), um distúrbio bronquiolocêntrico causado por aspiração recorrente. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo de 20 pacientes consecutivos com BAD atendidos na Clínica Mayo, em Rochester, Minnesota, entre 1 de janeiro de 1998 e 30 de junho de 2014. RESULTADOS: A mediana de idade dos pacientes foi de 56,5 anos (variação, 22-76 anos), e a relação homem/mulher foi de 2,3:1,0. Em 18 pacientes, o diagnóstico de BAD foi baseado nos resultados de biópsia do pulmão; nos 2 casos restantes, ele foi baseado em características clínicas e radiológicas, em conjunto com aspiração documentada observada em um estudo de deglutição videofluoroscópico. Em 19 pacientes (95%), foram identificados fatores predisponentes para a aspiração, incluindo doença do refluxo gastroesofágico (DRGE), abuso de drogas e disfagia. Características de apresentação comuns incluíam tosse, produção de escarro, dispneia e febre. Doze pacientes (60%) tinham uma história de pneumonias de repetição. Em todos os pacientes, a TC de tórax revelou infiltrado pulmonar bilateral com micronódulos e opacidades do tipo árvore em brotamento. Na maioria dos pacientes, as intervenções destinadas a impedir a aspiração recorrente (por exemplo, terapias anti-DRGE) levaram a uma melhoria nos sintomas de BAD. CONCLUSÕES: Indivíduos jovens até os de meia-idade com fatores predisponentes reconhecíveis para aspiração e que relatam uma história de pneumonias de repetição apresentam um risco aumentado para BAD. Embora BAD não seja bem reconhecida, certos aspectos na TC de tórax são característicos da doença. .