A Pediatric Case of Severe Chronic Interstitial Lung Disease Presenting as Spontaneous Pneumothorax: Blame It on the Birds

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Interstitial lung diseases, including the hypersensitivity pneumonitides, are rare in childhood. Although end-stage lung disease, including honeycombing and pneumothorax, are well known complications of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) in adults, spontaneous pneumothorax and honeycombing have not been previously reported as complications of bird fancier's lung in a child or adolescent. We report the case of a 15-year-old girl who presented with spontaneous pneumothorax complicating interstitial lung disease. Lung biopsy demonstrated mild honeycombing. Chronic bird fancier's lung was identified as the underlying etiology. This case illustrates the severe complications of chronic bird fancier's lung disease that can occur in adolescents.