Mechanisms Limiting Airflow in Bullous Lung Disease1–4

The mechanisms of airflow limitation in bullous lung disease were examined by plotting maximal expiratory airflow and airway resistance against lung elastic recoil pressure. in 5 patients who had evidence of isolated bullae, the abnormalities in airway resistance and in expiratory airflow could be accounted for by loss of lung elastic recoil. in 2 additional patients, the abnormalities could not be accounted for completely by loss of lung elastic recoil, suggesting that intrinsic airway disease was also present; these 2 patients had clinically evident chronic bronchitis. in 2 of the patients, tantalum bronchography confirmed the physiologic studies. Postoperative studies in the one patient who underwent bullectomy demonstrated maintained physiologic improvement in lung elastic recoil and in airway resistance.