Thoracic air leak syndrome as the sole manifestation of chronic lung graft-versus-host disease: a case report

Abstract

Background Thoracic air leak syndrome (TALS) is a rare complication associated with chronic lung graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS). In the present case, TALS was the sole pulmonary manifestation of GVHD. Case presentation A 30-year-old woman presented with dyspnea on exertion and swelling of the neck and face after allogeneic stem cell transplantation for acute myeloid leukemia. She was found to have subcutaneous emphysema, and chest imaging suggested pneumomediastinum, with normal lung parenchyma. Her clinical and radiological findings indicated TALS. There were no other features suggestive of lung GVHD. Her condition improved with conservative management and increased immunosuppression. However, she subsequently had two relapses, developed severe infection and pneumothorax, and died. Conclusions The present case report illustrates a unique presentation of TALS, a rare complication of GVHD, in a post-stem cell transplant patient. It highlights the challenges in the diagnosis and management of this condition.

Thoracic air leak syndrome as the sole manifestation of chronic lung graft-versus-host disease: a case report

“…The Egyptian Journal of Bronchology Thoracic air leak syndrome as the sole manifestation of chronic lung graft-versus-host disease: a case report Vinod Govindasaami * I read with great interest the article published in the journal by Nair et al, titled Thoracic air leak syndrome as the sole manifestation of chronic lung graft-versus-host disease: a case report [1]. The case report was an elaborate narrative of the management of respiratory symptoms and syndromes encountered in a post-stem cell transplant recipient spanning more than 200 days.…”