[Bronchiolitis obliterans with cryptogenetic-like organizing pneumonia. Demonstration of gastro-esophageal reflux in 5 cases].

Abstract

Gastro-oesophageal reflux was demonstrated in 5 cases of bronchiolitis obliterans with apparently cryptogenetic organizing pneumonia. In addition, one patient had hiatus hernia and another, oesophageal diverticulum. In 4 patients, after failure of prolonged antibiotic therapy, medical or surgical treatment of the gastro-oesophageal reflux resulted in regression of the clinical and radiological signs of pulmonary lesions. The cure thus obtained persisted throughout a follow-up period of 2 months to 8 years. Gastro-oesophageal reflux therefore could be one of the causes of apparently cryptogenetic bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia, and all patients with this respiratory disease should be investigated for gastro-oesophageal reflux.