case_images: PMC10963110_01
case_images: (a, b) Chest computed tomography images demonstrating sputum accumulation in the left main bronchus and a completely atelectatic left lung. Bronchoscopic images showing sputum obstruction of the (c) left main bronchus and the aspirated valproic acid tablet (arrow) in the (d) left inferior lobar bronchus.
case_images: CRIPU2024-6650141.001.jpg
case_images: PMC10963110_01_CRIPU2024-6650141.001.jpg
case_images: fig1
case_images: On the day of intubation, chest computed tomography revealed no abnormalities in the right lung but complete atelectasis of the left lung (Figures 1(a) and 1(b)). Bronchoscopy performed after intubation revealed large amounts of white sputum in the left main bronchus and an aspirated VPA tablet in the left inferior lobar bronchus (Figures 1(c) and 1(d)).
case_images: Chest radiographs obtained (a) before and (b) after treatment with sputum aspiration and retrieval of the valproic acid tablet using bronchoscopy.
case_images: CRIPU2024-6650141.002.jpg
case_images: PMC10963110_01_CRIPU2024-6650141.002.jpg
case_images: fig2
case_images: The VPA tablet was retrieved using a retrieval basket, and a large amount of sputum was aspirated; thereafter, the atelectasis was resolved completely (Figure 2).
case_images: mRNA expression of MUC2, MUC5AC, and MUC5B analyzed using real-time quantitative PCR. NCI-H292 cells were incubated with either the medium alone (control) or with the medium supplemented with valproic acid (5 mM; Cayman Chemical Company #13033) for 24 hours; mRNA was extracted thereafter. Relative gene expression was calculated using the DeltaDeltaCt method with normalization to GAPDH. Data are representative of three independent experiments. Results represent the mean +- standard error of mean. Student's t-test was used to compare the groups.
case_images: CRIPU2024-6650141.003.jpg
case_images: PMC10963110_01_CRIPU2024-6650141.003.jpg
case_images: fig3
case_images: The culture revealed a significant increase in the expression of secretory mucin genes MUC2, MUC5AC, and MUC5B (1.9-, 1.9-, and 1.7-fold upregulation, respectively; Figure 3).