Does cannabis smoking predispose to lung bulla formation?. (January 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fiorelli, Alfonso; Accardo, Marina; Vicidomini, Giovanni; Messina, Gaetana; Laperuta, Paolo; Santini, Mario
• Is Part Of: Asian cardiovascular & thoracic annals. Volume 22:Number 1(2014)
• Page Start: 65
• Page End: 71
• Publication Date: 2014-01
• Subjects: Blister -- Lung diseases -- Marijuana smoking -- Pneumothorax -- Pulmonary emphysema; Heart -- Diseases -- Asia -- Periodicals; Heart -- Diseases -- Pacific Area -- Periodicals; Heart -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Heart -- Surgery -- Asia -- Periodicals; Heart -- Surgery -- Pacific Area -- Periodicals; Heart -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Chest -- Surgery -- Asia -- Periodicals; Chest -- Surgery -- Pacific Area -- Periodicals; Chest -- Surgery -- Periodicals; 617.412
• DOI: 10.1177/0218492313478954
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0218-4923

Abstract

Objective: The data of a consecutive series of habitual marijuana smokers were retrospectively evaluated and compared with that of non-marijuana smokers to assess differences between the 2 groups. Methods: 13 consecutive habitual marijuana smokers were referred for treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax. The demographic, clinical, radiological, and pathological findings of these patients were reviewed and compared with 140 non-marijuana smokers treated for the same pathology at the same time. Results: Bullae were seen in 8/13 (62%) and 110/140 (78%) of marijuana smokers and non-marijuana smokers, respectively. However, when patients less than 35-years old were considered, the incidence of bulla was higher in marijuana smokers than non-marijuana smokers (7/10 vs. 3/10, p < 0.05). The pathological findings showed a greater presence of inflammatory cells in specimens from marijuana smokers than those of non-marijuana smokers (8/11 vs. 2/42, respectively, p < 0.05). No significant differences in hospital stay and clinical outcome were registered between the 2 groups. Conclusions: Despite the fact that we were unable to demonstrate that marijuana had a causal role in the development of emphysema, our study showed that marijuana smokers had a higher incidence of inflammatory cells in pathological specimens, which may favor lung injury, thus predisposing to bulla formation.