PMC4961680_01
Chest radiograph on the first visit shows left lower lobe collapse.
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Chest radiograph revealed left lower lobe collapse (Fig. 1).
Chest computed tomography obtained upon admission shows complete collapse of the left lung with hyperattenuated mucoid impaction.
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Additionally, chest radiograph and computed tomography (CT) findings revealed complete collapse of the left lung with hyperattenuated mucoid (HAM) impaction (Fig. 2).
Bronchoscopy findings show white mucus plug in left main bronchus.
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Bronchoscopy showed a white, rubbery, thick mucus plug in the left main bronchus, which could not be removed by forceps or suction (Fig. 3).
(A) Chest radiograph three weeks after initiation of bromhexine treatment shows improvement of the collapsed lung. (B) Chest computed tomography two months after initiation of bromhexine treatment shows central bronchiectasis and recovery of the collapsed lung.
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Three weeks later, chest radiographic findings revealed improvement of the collapsed left lung (Fig. 4A). SpO2 increased to 97% at room air and chest CT showed complete recovery of the collapsed lung, but with central bronchiectasis seen (Fig. 4B). Subsequently, she has returned to the clinic for follow-up and has continued bromhexine treatment successfully for more than 20 months.