Cited 2 times since 1990 (0.1 per year) source: EuropePMC The European respiratory journal, Volume 3, Issue 10, 1 1 1990, Pages 1224-1226 Bullous degeneration of the left lower lobe in a heroin addict. Smeenk FW, Serlie J, van der Jagt EJ, Postmus PE
A 34 yr old heroin addict was referred because of chest pain caused by air-trapping in a bulla in the left lower lobe. There was a marked difference between the functional residual capacity measured by body-plethysmography and helium dilution. A slow wash-in and wash-out were demonstrated by ventilation scintigraphy with Xenon133. Bullous degeneration is a known complication of intravenous drug abuse. Usually these bullae are found in the upper lobes. Possible causative mechanisms are discussed.
