Overview
Bronchiolitis obliterans (also called obliterative bronchiolitis or constrictive bronchiolitis) is a rare and serious lung disease that affects the smallest airways in the lungs, called bronchioles. In this condition, these tiny airways become damaged and inflamed, leading to scarring and narrowing that blocks airflow. This makes it progressively harder to breathe. The disease is sometimes referred to as 'popcorn lung' because it gained public attention after cases were linked to workers inhaling diacetyl, a chemical used in microwave popcorn flavoring. The most common symptoms include a persistent dry cough, shortness of breath (especially during physical activity), wheezing, and fatigue. These symptoms often develop gradually over weeks to months and tend to get worse over time. Bronchiolitis obliterans can occur after lung or bone marrow transplantation, after certain infections, or after exposure to toxic fumes and chemicals. In some cases, no clear cause is found. There is currently no cure for bronchiolitis obliterans. Treatment focuses on slowing the progression of the disease and managing symptoms. Options include inhaled corticosteroids, bronchodilators, immunosuppressive medications (especially in transplant-related cases), and oxygen therapy. In severe cases, lung transplantation may be considered. Early detection and treatment are important because the scarring in the airways is generally irreversible once it occurs.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Shortness of breath, especially with activityPersistent dry coughWheezingFatigue and low energyDifficulty exercising or being physically activeFeeling like you can't get enough airRapid breathingChest tightnessUnexplained weight lossFrequent respiratory infections
Clinical phenotype terms (16)— hover any for plain English
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Variable
Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
FDA & Trial Timeline
10 eventsInstituto Nacional de Ciencias Medicas y Nutricion Salvador Zubiran — NA
Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine — PHASE1
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nīmes — NA
Karolinska Institutet — NA
Brian Keller
Zhujiang Hospital — PHASE4
Montefiore Medical Center — NA
Qing-Lei Zeng — PHASE4
Qing-Lei Zeng — PHASE4
VA Office of Research and Development — PHASE2
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
2 availableDyural 80-Lm
To tide the patient over a critical period of the disease in ulcerative colitis
HUMIRA
Treatment of moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis in adults and pediatric patients 5 years of age and older
Rare Disease Specialist
Treatment Centers
8 centersChildren's Hospital Colorado
📍 Aurora, Colorado
👤 Zachary Grinspan, MD
Boston Children's Hospital
📍 Boston, Massachusetts
Children's National Medical Center
📍 Washington D.C., District of Columbia
👤 Richard Neibeger, MD
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
📍 Chicago, Illinois
Northwestern University
📍 Chicago, Illinois
👤 Ann (Annie) W Silk
Harvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
Financial Resources
3 resourcesLialda
Takeda
Ulcerative Colitis
Mesalamine
Takeda
Ulcerative Colitis
Mesalamine Rectal
AbbVie
Ulcerative Colitis
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Bronchiolitis obliterans.
Community
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Start the conversation →Latest news about Bronchiolitis obliterans
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Freedom-1 Study for Chronic Knee Pain
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Bronchiolitis obliterans
New recruiting trial: Ibrutinib for the Prevention of Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease in Patients Undergoing Donor Stem Cell Transplant
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Bronchiolitis obliterans
New recruiting trial: Predictive Value of Carotid Ultrasonography for Intradialytic Hypotension
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Bronchiolitis obliterans
New recruiting trial: Comparison of the Effectiveness of Different Exercise Types in Individuals with Chronic Neck Pain
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Bronchiolitis obliterans
New recruiting trial: MENTOR Wellness Program
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Bronchiolitis obliterans
New recruiting trial: The Effects of Muscle Vibration on the Development of Spasticity and Neuroplasticity in a Post-stroke Population
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Bronchiolitis obliterans
New recruiting trial: Balloon Sinuplasty Efficiency in Maxillary Rhinosinusitis.
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Bronchiolitis obliterans
New recruiting trial: A Combined Exercise Programme Involving Strengthening, Flexibility and Aerobic Exercise for Lower Back Pain
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Bronchiolitis obliterans
New recruiting trial: TRANSPIRE: Lung Injury in a Longitudinal Cohort of Pediatric HSCT Patients
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Bronchiolitis obliterans
New recruiting trial: Belumosudil to Block Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction (CLAD) in High Risk Lung Transplant Recipients
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Bronchiolitis obliterans
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What is the likely cause of my bronchiolitis obliterans, and does that affect my treatment options?,How quickly is my lung function declining, and how often should I have pulmonary function tests?,What medications or therapies do you recommend, and what are their side effects?,Am I a candidate for pulmonary rehabilitation, and how can it help me?,At what point should we consider lung transplantation, and what does that process involve?,Are there any clinical trials or new treatments I should know about?,What can I do in my daily life to protect my lungs and slow the disease?
Common questions about Bronchiolitis obliterans
What is Bronchiolitis obliterans?
Bronchiolitis obliterans (also called obliterative bronchiolitis or constrictive bronchiolitis) is a rare and serious lung disease that affects the smallest airways in the lungs, called bronchioles. In this condition, these tiny airways become damaged and inflamed, leading to scarring and narrowing that blocks airflow. This makes it progressively harder to breathe. The disease is sometimes referred to as 'popcorn lung' because it gained public attention after cases were linked to workers inhaling diacetyl, a chemical used in microwave popcorn flavoring. The most common symptoms include a pers
How is Bronchiolitis obliterans inherited?
Bronchiolitis obliterans follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
Are there clinical trials for Bronchiolitis obliterans?
Yes — 16 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Bronchiolitis obliterans on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Bronchiolitis obliterans?
25 specialists and care centers treating Bronchiolitis obliterans are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.
What treatment and support options exist for Bronchiolitis obliterans?
3 patient support programs are currently tracked on UniteRare for Bronchiolitis obliterans. See the treatments and support programs sections for copay assistance, eligibility, and contact details.