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Lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) offers improvement in lung function, quality of life and even survival in well selected patients with severe emphysema. Patients with all types of emphysema morphology can profit from LVRS when certain selection criteria are present. Hyperinflation plays a key role in qualifying for the procedure. Candidate selection should be performed at high volume centers with a multidisciplinary emphysema board. Qualified thoracic surgeons together with pulmonologists and radiologists identify the suitable patient considering emphysema morphology with its target areas for resection, lung function parameters and cardiac comorbidities. This review outlines candidate selection, technique and results of LVRS to inform referring physicians how to screen und inform their patients., Competing Interests: Interessenkonflikt: Die Autoren geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

Bronchial atresia is a short and juxtahilar bronchus interruption. This uncommon malformation leads to an obstructive and systematized emphysema, often associated with mucoid impaction. The authors report the case of a 5-year-old boy and review the literature in order to recall the radiologic features of this affection, which are characterized by an obstructive segmental or lobar emphysema often located in the upper lobe. The modern imaging means are not necessary for diagnosis. Bronchography confirms the atresia. Neonatal bronchial atresia appears as an opaque segment or lobe with retention of the alveolar liquid.

Unlabelled: PURPOSE of this study was to determine the prevalence of bronchiectasis in patients suffering from alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency and to compare its extent with the frequency of infections., Material and Methods: High-resolution CT examinations (HRCT) of 23 patients with alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency were retrospectively assessed for extent, severity and localisation of bronchiectasis, bronchial wall thickening and extent of emphysema. Chest radiographs and clinical records were available for correlation., Results: HRCT scans showed bronchiectasis in 14 of 23 patients, bronchial wall thickening in 3/14, and panlobular emphysema in 23/23. Chest radiographs showed bronchiectasis in 4/23 patients. Only two of 9 patients without bronchiectasis had a history of infections; all 8 patients with multiple bronchiectasis had a history of recurrent infections., Conclusion: Bronchiectasis is a common finding in alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, and is associated with recurrent infections. HRCT is superior to chest radiography as an indicator for the risk of infection in these patients.