A 28-Year-Old Woman With Nail Discoloration, Recurrent Bronchitis, and Left-Sided Facial Swelling

Chest. 2023 Nov;164(5):e135-e138. doi: 10.1016/j.chest.2023.06.020. Epub 2023 Nov 7.

Abstract

A 28-year-old woman with a history of congenital hip dysplasia was referred for evaluation of recurrent bronchitis. She had undergone left hip replacement with titanium implants 11 years prior to presentation. The patient reported frequent bouts of bronchitis, sinusitis, and left-sided nontender facial swelling that started after the hip replacement surgery. She also reported nail discoloration of her left first toenail 1 year after this procedure, and nail discoloration of her right first toenail 3 years after the procedure. She was treated for onychomycosis without improvement. Review of symptoms was positive for chronic dry cough and facial tenderness but was negative for dyspnea, wheezing, or chest tightness. She previously had been diagnosed with common variable immunodeficiency based on low immunoglobulin levels, and the condition was maintained with monthly IV immunoglobulins but without any improvement or change in the frequency of sinusitis, bronchitis, or facial swelling. She did not use tobacco, and her family history was unremarkable.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bronchitis*
  • Dyspnea / diagnosis
  • Dyspnea / etiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Sinusitis*