Case reports – When bronchial obstruction in the young adult is not asthma and inhalers do not help

Abstract: Introduction: Localised bronchial obstruction is a rare differential diagnosis to asthma. Case study: We describe two younger patients treated unsuccessfully for asthma and eventually diagnosed with localised bronchoconstriction. Results: Bronchoscopy revealed bronchoconstriction: Tracheobronchomalacia in case 1 and fixed obstruction in case 2. Conclusion: A systematic approach to the asthma patient with absent response to therapy facilitates rational use of therapeutic and diagnostic resources.