Bronchiolitis obliterans and the risk of pneumothorax after transbronchial biopsy

The safety of bronchoscopy and specifically transbronchial biopsy has not been studied in patients with bronchiolitis obliterans. We discuss two patients with bronchiolitis obliterans as a complication of graft versus host disease following allogeneic stem cell transplant. Both underwent bronchoscopy and transbronchial biopsy, which was complicated by pneumothoraces. Patients with bronchiolitis obliterans have an increased risk of spontaneous air leak syndromes. Although no data exists regarding the safety of transbronchial biopsies in patients with airflow obstruction in general, they appear to have increased rates of pneumothoraces following transthoracic biopsies. It is important to consider the potentially increased risk of pneumothoraces when deciding to pursue bronchoscopy and transbronchial biopsy in patients with bronchiolitis obliterans.