Bronchial tree‐shaped mucous plug in cystic fibrosis: imaging‐guided management

Abstract

We report the case of a 17‐year‐old boy with cystic fibrosis (CF) who presented with persistent cough; after starting intravenous antibiotics for Pseudomonas aeruginosa he underwent a computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest. CT revealed extensive consolidation in the right lower lobe with relative bronchus obstruction; the cause of bronchial obstruction was detected in the mediastinal window, corresponding to a bronchial tree‐shaped, thick, tenacious mucous plug. This was extracted 48 h after unresponsive bronchial washing and endobronchial instillation of rhDNAse, using foreign‐body forceps, with subsequent resolution of cough. This case, which is the second report of plastic bronchitis in CF, was resolved by mechanical removal of the mucous plug, suggesting that a careful observation of CT imaging may guide intervention aimed at resolution of atelectasis.