Morphologic changes of diving-related barotrauma lung injury in the setting of Birt-Hogg-Dubé

Abstract

Manifestations of barotrauma-associated lung injury with scuba diving are rarely reported, aside from anecdotic historical accounts. The pathology of the lung changes has not been adequately characterized. We report the histologic findings of diving-related chronic lung injury in a patient with Birt-Hogg-Dube (BHD). The histologic findings included bullae, chronic pleuritis, edema, vascular and interstitial thickening. In addition, there were multiple necrotizing granulomas containing fungal organisms. BHD is a hereditary condition characterized by skin, lung, and renal lesions. This is to our knowledge the first report of the histologic findings of diving-related pulmonary barotrauma (PBT) injury, albeit in the setting of BHD.