Endobronchial Valves for the Treatment of Bronchopleural Fistula and Pneumothorax Caused by Pulmonary Cryptococcosis in an AIDS Patient

Cryptococcal disease is an opportunistic infection that occurs primarily among people with advanced HIV disease and is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) is rare in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis (PC), but when it occurs, rapid and effective treatment is crucial to the prognosis, with mortality rates varying from 30 to 60%. SP is related to pneumonia mainly due to bacterial infections and pneumocystic jirovecii pneumonia (PJP). However, SP caused by PC is rare. When it occurs, it is often fatal and refractory, which is a challenge both for patients and clinicians. Here, we report a case of SP during the treatment of cryptococcal disease in a patient with AIDS. The pneumothorax remained despite chest tube drainage and evolved into a bronchopleural fistula that was confirmed by the Chartis system. The pneumothorax was significantly resolved following the placement of 2 endobronchial valves (EBVs). The patient tolerated the procedure very well and the pneumothorax gradually resolved. When immunocompromised patients suffer from refractory pneumothorax or prolonged air leaks, EBV implantation may be a feasible and minimally invasive procedure for this vulnerable population.