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Bronchiolitis Obliterans is a rare, non-reversible form of lung disease characterized by inflammation and permanent scarring and narrowing of the small airways (bronchioles). This damage severely restricts airflow, leading to progressive breathing difficulty.
read more about bronchiolitis obliterans ...The scarring is caused by severe inflammation that attacks the epithelial lining of the bronchioles. The most common trigger is a chronic immune reaction following a lung transplant or stem cell transplant, where the body rejects the new tissue.
It can also occur after severe viral infections or exposure to toxic fumes, which damage the delicate lining of the airways. The resulting damage is non-reversible, and the disease is characterized by a relentless, progressive decline in lung function known as obstructive lung disease.
Symptoms include a persistent, dry cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath that worsens rapidly. The onset of symptoms can be fast and insidious, often mimicking a persistent viral cold, but the shortness of breath progresses quickly and is often resistant to standard asthma treatments. The irreversible scarring severely reduces the lung's ability to absorb oxygen, impacting the patient's overall quality of life.
Diagnosis requires high-resolution imaging, such as a High-Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) scan, which shows a characteristic patchy, mosaic pattern of scarring. Specialized lung function tests are also needed to measure the restricted airflow.
This condition does not directly impact vision. However, patients with severe, end-stage disease often suffer from chronic hypoxia (low blood oxygen levels) due to lung failure. Severe, prolonged oxygen deprivation can cause changes to the retinal blood vessels, affecting visual clarity.
Management strategies focus on slowing the progression and treating symptoms. This involves high doses of steroids and other immunosuppressive drugs to reduce inflammation. Oxygen therapy and pulmonary rehabilitation are used to maximize remaining breathing capacity.
No, the damage is irreversible. Treatment only slows the decline in lung function.
No, it can be caused by severe infections or exposure to toxins (like popcorn lung), but transplantation is the most common trigger.
A lung transplant may be necessary for advanced cases where all other medical options have failed.
If you have had a lung or bone marrow transplant and notice a dry cough or shortness of breath, see your transplant team. Chronic low oxygen levels from lung disease can cause "Cyanosis," a bluish tint to the lips and under the fingernails, indicating a need for oxygen therapy.
American Lung Association. Bronchiolitis Obliterans (lung.org). 2024.
Mayo Clinic. Bronchiolitis (mayoclinic.org). 2024.
StatPearls. Obliterative Bronchiolitis (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). 2024.
Cleveland Clinic. Popcorn Lung (clevelandclinic.org). 2024.