Bullous lung disease due to marijuana

Authors: HII, SuW.¹; TAM, JeffD. C.²; THOMPSON, BruceR.¹; NAUGHTON, MatthewT.

Source: Respirology, Volume 13, Number 1, January 2008 , pp. 122-127(6)

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

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Abstract:

Bullous lung disease due to marijuana

HII SW, TAM JDC, THOMPSON BR, NAUGHTON MT. Respirology 2008; 13: 122-127 Background and objective:

In contrast to the well-described effects of tobacco smoking upon pulmonary emphysema, with ∼15% of smokers being affected at the age of 65 years, the effects of marijuana smoking are rarely reported and poorly understood. Methods:

We report a series of 10 patients (mean age 41 ± 9 years, eight male, two female), who presented over a period of 12 months to our respiratory unit with new respiratory symptoms, and who admitted to regular chronic marijuana smoking (>1 year continuously). Symptoms on presentation were dyspnoea (n = 4), pneumothorax (n = 4) and chest infection (n = 2). Results:

High-resolution CT revealed asymmetrical, variably sized, emphysematous bullae in the upper and mid zones. However, the CXR was normal in four patients and lung function was normal in five. Conclusions:

Marijuana smoking leads to asymmetrical bullous disease, often in the setting of normal CXR and lung function. In subjects who smoke marijuana, these pathological changes occur at a younger age (approximately 20 years earlier) than in tobacco smokers.

Keywords: bullous lung disease; marijuana

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-1843.2007.01186.x

Affiliations: 1: Departments of Allergy, Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, Monash University and 2: Diagnostic Radiology, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Publication date: 2008-01-01