Bronchial thermoplasty for severe asthma in China: A case report and literature review

Objective To report the efficacy of one patients with severe asthma treated by bronchial thermoplasty (BT). Methods Clinical diagnosis and treatment process of the patient with severe asthma who were treated by BT in our hospital in February 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. BT was performed via 3 bronchoscopy sessions spaced 3 weeks apart. Right lower lobe and left lower lobe were treated separately during the first and the second sessions, both upper lobes were treated during the third session. Then the efficacy and safety of BT were discussed by combining the case and published literatures. Results The operation of the three sessions went smoothly and the patient was well tolerated. Mild pain in treated lateral chest was reported immediately after BT during each session, which was relieved spontaneously without any specific treatment. Fever occurred in the patient on the first day after BT during the third session, and then descended to normal in the next day with antibiotics. Postoperative follow-up showed that the patient was in stable condition, his asthma symptoms and pulmonary function were improved comparing to preoperative data. Conclusion BT shows good efficacy and safety for the patient with severe asthma with well tolerance.