While life-threatening, the survival rate is between 73% and 90%.
When a BPF does cause symptoms, they’re similar to what’s expected following lung infections and surgery.
They include:
A BPF doesn’t always cause symptoms, though.
ER Productions Limited/Getty Images
When it’s asymptomatic, the diagnosis is often made after an imaging study reveals a persistent air leak.
BPF is most likely after apneumonectomy(complete removal of a lung).
It is also more common in those who have right-sided lung surgery.
Other Causes
How Common Is Bronchopleural Fistula?
Studies vary when looking at how common bronchopleural fistulas are.
But it appears to occur in between 1.5% and 28% of surgeries involving lung removal.
However, it may occur even a month afterward.
Diagnosis of Bronchopleural Fistula
Healthcare providers usually diagnose bronchopleural fistulae based on radiological findings.
A CT scan is often the test of choice.
It may show increased air or fluid (often pus) in the pleural space.
With a small air leak, bubbling may only be present during forced exhalation or a cough.
Treatment of Bronchopleural Fistula
Healing the underlying cause of a fistula may also heal the fistula.
If a fistula is related to a surgery, it may need surgical correction.
Three major stepseach a separate surgical procedureare involved in treating a bronchopleural fistula.
If your condition isn’t stable, the endoscopic method may be the only suitable approach.
Surgery is never used to treat a bronchopleural fistula brought on by infection.
It’s a serious complication because of surgery, cancer treatment, or infection.
A BPF is life threatening but has a survival rate of at least 73%.
Symptoms are a persistent cough, possibly with blood, pus, or a pink frothy fluid.
It doesn’t always cause symptoms.
BPFs are diagnosed with a CT scan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it can.
It’s rare, though, and is usually associated with prior chemotherapy and radiation.
The throw in of cancer most likely to lead to a BPF is Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
2019;98(26):e16228.
2015;7(12):E657-61.
A retrospective analysis.J Comput Assist Tomogr.
Published 2016 Apr 1. doi:10.1002/ccr3.547
Teh E, West D.Bronchopleural fistula: prevention is still best.Shanghai Chest.
2017;1(6).
2018;28(3):323-335. doi:10.1016/j.thorsurg.2018.05.008
