Overview
Plastic bronchitis is a rare and serious lung condition where thick, rubbery plugs or casts form inside the airways (bronchi) of the lungs. These casts are made of mucus, proteins, and other materials that harden and take the exact shape of the breathing tubes. Unlike normal mucus that can be coughed up easily, these casts are tough and sticky, making it very hard to breathe. The condition is also sometimes called bronchial cast disease or fibrinous bronchitis. The casts can partially or completely block the airways, causing sudden and severe breathing problems. People with plastic bronchitis often experience repeated episodes of coughing up these rubbery plugs, along with wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. In some cases, a blocked airway can cause a lung to partially collapse, which is a medical emergency. Plastic bronchitis can occur in both children and adults. It is often linked to other underlying conditions, including congenital heart disease (especially after a surgery called the Fontan procedure), lymphatic disorders, asthma, or infections. Treatment focuses on clearing the airways, managing the underlying cause, and preventing new casts from forming. Options include airway clearance therapy, inhaled medications, and in some cases, procedures to directly remove the casts. Research into better treatments is ongoing, and care from a specialized team is very important.
Key symptoms:
Coughing up thick, rubbery plugs or casts from the airwaysShortness of breath, sometimes sudden and severeWheezing or noisy breathingChest tightness or chest painPersistent cough that does not go awayRepeated lung infections or pneumoniaPartial lung collapse (atelectasis)Low oxygen levels in the bloodFatigue and low energyBluish tint to the lips or fingertips (cyanosis) during severe episodes
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Variable
Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
Treatments
1 availableAcetylcysteine
adjuvant therapy for patients with abnormal, viscid, or inspissated mucous secretions in emphysema with bronchitis
Clinical Trials
View all trials with filters →No actively recruiting trials found for Plastic bronchitis at this time.
New trials open frequently. Follow this disease to get notified.
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Plastic bronchitis.
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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 causing my plastic bronchitis, and can that underlying cause be treated?,What airway clearance techniques or devices are best for my situation?,Which inhaled medications should I use, and how do I use them correctly?,What are the warning signs that I need to go to the emergency room immediately?,Is there a specialized center for lymphatic or cardiac interventions that might help my case?,Are there any clinical trials or new treatments I should know about?,How often should I have follow-up appointments, and what monitoring tests do I need?
Common questions about Plastic bronchitis
What is Plastic bronchitis?
Plastic bronchitis is a rare and serious lung condition where thick, rubbery plugs or casts form inside the airways (bronchi) of the lungs. These casts are made of mucus, proteins, and other materials that harden and take the exact shape of the breathing tubes. Unlike normal mucus that can be coughed up easily, these casts are tough and sticky, making it very hard to breathe. The condition is also sometimes called bronchial cast disease or fibrinous bronchitis. The casts can partially or completely block the airways, causing sudden and severe breathing problems. People with plastic bronchitis
How is Plastic bronchitis inherited?
Plastic bronchitis follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
Which specialists treat Plastic bronchitis?
8 specialists and care centers treating Plastic bronchitis are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.