Hemorrhagic Complicated Giant Bullae
Abstract
Giant bullous emphysema (GBE) is a rare condition often seen in young smokers but may also occur in non-smokers. We present a 45-year-old non-smoking female with progressive dyspnea and a large cystic lesion detected in the right lower lobe on thoracic CT. The lesion was identified as a giant bulla without communication with the bronchial tree. A right lower lobectomy was performed due to its size and internal vascular structures. Histopathological examination confirmed bullous emphysema with hemorrhagic and congestion. The postoperative period was uneventful. This case highlights the importance of differentiating giant bullae from pneumothorax to avoid inappropriate chest tube placement. Surgical resection via thoracotomy or video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) remains the definitive treatment for symptomatic cases.
Keywords
References
- 1. Waseem M, Jones J, Brutus S, et al. Giant bulla mimicking pneumothorax. J Emerg Med 2005;29(2):155–8.
- 2. Jaiswal P, Dhand R, Aggarwal AN, et al. The vanishing lung. Postgrad Med J 2017;93(1106):780–1.
- 3. Fraser RG, Pare JAP. Diagnosis of diseases of the chest. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: WB Saunders; 1989. p.1022–8.
- 4. Moustafa MA. Vanishing lung. Open J Thorac Surg 2022;12(3):43–50.
- 5. Im Y, Farooqi S, Mora A Jr. Vanishing lung syndrome. Baylor Univ Med Cent Proc 2016;29(4):438–40.
- 6. Dogan C, Guvenc TS, Kaya O, et al. A giant bulla causing compression on the left ventricle. Izmir Gogus Hastan Derg 2015;29(3):169–72.
- 7. Shaikh FH, Zerilli NA, Jamil T, Ishtiaq D, Avasthi D. “Breaking the bleed” spontaneous hemorrhage in an emphysematous bulla complicated by anticoagulation: A case report. Cureus 2024;16(12).
Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Thoracic Surgery
Journal Section
Case Report
Publication Date
September 9, 2025
Submission Date
May 4, 2025
Acceptance Date
September 3, 2025
Published in Issue
Year 2025 Volume: 32 Number: 3
APA
Özdemir, M. S., Yazkan, R., Çamaş, H. E., & Akın, S. E. (2025). Hemorrhagic Complicated Giant Bullae. Medical Journal of Süleyman Demirel University, 32(3), 244-247. https://doi.org/10.17343/sdutfd.1691186
AMA
1.Özdemir MS, Yazkan R, Çamaş HE, Akın SE. Hemorrhagic Complicated Giant Bullae. Med J SDU. 2025;32(3):244-247. doi:10.17343/sdutfd.1691186
Chicago
Özdemir, Muhammed Samet, Rasih Yazkan, Hasan Ekrem Çamaş, and Süleyman Emre Akın. 2025. “Hemorrhagic Complicated Giant Bullae”. Medical Journal of Süleyman Demirel University 32 (3): 244-47. https://doi.org/10.17343/sdutfd.1691186.
EndNote
Özdemir MS, Yazkan R, Çamaş HE, Akın SE (September 1, 2025) Hemorrhagic Complicated Giant Bullae. Medical Journal of Süleyman Demirel University 32 3 244–247.
IEEE
[1]M. S. Özdemir, R. Yazkan, H. E. Çamaş, and S. E. Akın, “Hemorrhagic Complicated Giant Bullae”, Med J SDU, vol. 32, no. 3, pp. 244–247, Sept. 2025, doi: 10.17343/sdutfd.1691186.
ISNAD
Özdemir, Muhammed Samet - Yazkan, Rasih - Çamaş, Hasan Ekrem - Akın, Süleyman Emre. “Hemorrhagic Complicated Giant Bullae”. Medical Journal of Süleyman Demirel University 32/3 (September 1, 2025): 244-247. https://doi.org/10.17343/sdutfd.1691186.
JAMA
1.Özdemir MS, Yazkan R, Çamaş HE, Akın SE. Hemorrhagic Complicated Giant Bullae. Med J SDU. 2025;32:244–247.
MLA
Özdemir, Muhammed Samet, et al. “Hemorrhagic Complicated Giant Bullae”. Medical Journal of Süleyman Demirel University, vol. 32, no. 3, Sept. 2025, pp. 244-7, doi:10.17343/sdutfd.1691186.
Vancouver
1.Muhammed Samet Özdemir, Rasih Yazkan, Hasan Ekrem Çamaş, Süleyman Emre Akın. Hemorrhagic Complicated Giant Bullae. Med J SDU. 2025 Sep. 1;32(3):244-7. doi:10.17343/sdutfd.1691186