Pleural Tuberculosis

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Pleural Tuberculosis Copyright ERS Journals Ltd 1997 Eur Respir J 1997; 10: 942–947 European Respiratory Journal DOI: 10.1183/09031936.97.10040942 ISSN 0903 - 1936 Printed in UK - all rights reserved SERIES 'THE PLEURA' Edited by H. Hamm and R.W. Light Number 4 in this Series Pleural tuberculosis J. Ferrer Pleural tuberculosis. J. Ferrer. ©ERS Journals Ltd 1997. Correspondence: J. Ferrer ABSTRACT: Tuberculous pleural effusions occur in up to 30% of patients with Servei de Pneumologia tuberculosis. It appears that the percentage of patients with pleural effusion is Hospital General Universitari Vall d’Hebron comparable in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive and HIV-negative E-08035 Barcelona individuals, although there is some evidence that HIV-positive patients with CD4+ Spain -1 counts <200 cells·mL are less likely to have a tuberculous pleural effusion. Keywords: Adenosine deaminase There has recently been a considerable amount of research dealing with the pleural effusion immunology of tuberculous pleurisy. At present, we have more evidence that acti- tuberculosis vated cells produce cytokines in a complex pleural response to mycobacteria. Intramacrophage elimination of mycobacterial antigens, granuloma formation, Received: March 14 1996 direct neutralization of mycobacteria and fibrosis are the main facets of this reac- Accepted after revision September 29 1996 tion. With respect to diagnosis, adenosine deaminase and interferon gamma in pleural fluid have proved to be useful tests. Detection of mycobacterial deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) by the polymerase chain reaction is an interesting test, but its useful- ness in the diagnosis of tuberculous pleurisy needs further confirmation. The rec- ommended treatment for tuberculous pleurisy is a 6 month regimen of isoniazid and rifampicin, with the addition of pyrazinamide in the first 2 months. HIV patients may require a longer treatment. The general use of corticosteroids is not recommended at this time, but they can be used in individuals who are markedly symptomatic. Eur Respir J 1997; 10: 942–947. Incidence [3, 4]. The fact that HIV infection affects mainly young adults could explain the high frequency of pleurisy in The clinical importance of tuberculosis in general and HIV patients with tuberculosis, since young people tend of tuberculous pleural effusion in particular is not the to have primary disease. same worldwide. Of the 8 million people who develop- ed tuberculosis in 1990, 95% lived in developing coun- tries [1]. In sub-Saharan Africa, 15 million new cases Pathogenesis of tuberculosis are expected over the next 5 yrs [2]. The frequency of pleural effusion in these tuberculous patients The current hypothesis for the pathogenesis of pri- is currently approximately 31% [3]. mary tuberculous pleural effusion is that a subpleural It seems that co-infection with human immunodefi- caseous focus in the lung ruptures into the pleural space ciency virus (HIV) is the main factor responsible for 6–12 weeks after a primary infection [7]. Mycobacterial this increase in tuberculosis and tuberculous pleurisy. antigens enter the pleural space and interact with T-cells In Burundi and Tanzania, 60% of patients with tuber- previously sensitized to mycobacteria, resulting in a culous pleural effusion were HIV-positive [3, 4]. Initial delayed hypersensitivity reaction and the accumulation data suggest that HIV patients tend to develop tuber- of fluid. It seems that this reaction of the pleura aug- culous pleurisy in the early stages of immunosuppres- ments the entry of fluid into the pleural space by in- sion. In one report, the prevalence of pleural effusion creasing the permeability of pleural capillaries to serum in tuberculous HIV patients with CD4+ T-lymphocyte proteins [8], and thereby increasing the oncotic pressure (helper-inducer) counts >200 cells·mL-1 was 27%, while in the pleural fluid. Involvement of the lymphatic sys- it was only 10% in HIV patients with tuberculosis and tem probably also contributes to the accumulation of CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts <200 cells·mL-1 [5]. There pleural fluid. An impaired clearance of proteins from are contradictory data regarding the frequency of pleurisy the pleural space has been reported in human tubercu- in HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients with tuber- lous effusions [9]. It is known that the clearance of pro- culosis. One study in South Africa reported a higher fre- teins and fluid from the pleural space is carried out by quency in HIV-positive patients [6], but several other lymphatics in the parietal pleura. Fluid gains access to studies in Central Africa could find no such differences the lymphatics through openings in the parietal pleura Previous articles in this series: No. 1: G. Miserocchi. Physiology and pathophysiology of pleural fluid turnover. Eur Respir J 1997; 10: 219–225. No. 2: R.W. Light. Diagnostic principles in pleural disease. Eur Respir J 1997; 10: 476–481. No. 3: G.T. Kinasewitz. Transudative effusions. Eur Respir J 1997; 10: 714–718. PLEURAL TUBERCULOSIS 943 called stomata [10]. Since the parietal pleural is diffus- CD4+ cells. Paradoxically, however, up to 30% of pati- ely affected with pleural tuberculosis, damage to or obs- ents with tuberculous pleurisy have a negative PPD test truction of the stomata could be an important mechanism [11]. Since adherent suppressor cells are found in the leading to accumulation of pleural fluid. peripheral blood but not in the pleural fluid of tubercu- lous patients [17], these cells could suppress the activity of blood T-lymphocytes in tuberculin anergic patients. Immunology However, peripheral suppressor cells cannot be detect- ed in some PPD-negative patients with pleural tuber- It appears that tuberculous pleurisy is due to a delayed culosis. The PPD negativity in these patients has been hypersensitivity reaction rather than to a tuberculous in- attributed to compartmentalization of CD4+ T-lympho- fection. This hypothesis is supported by several facts. cytes in the pleural space [17]. Cultures of pleural specimens from patients with tuber- culous pleurisy are frequently negative [11]. A lympho- cytic pleurisy can be produced in sensitized guinea-pigs Diagnosis by the intrapleural instillation of heat-killed bacilli Cal- mette-Guérin (BCG) [12]. Moreover, pleural effusion It appears that in developed countries tuberculous also develops in nonsensitized animals who have received pleurisy is becoming a form of reactivation rather than cells from immunized animals [13]; and effusion does primary disease [28], and therefore the mean age of the not develop in sensitized animals if they are given anti- affected individual is much higher than it was 50 yrs lymphocyte serum [14]. ago [28]. The diagnosis of tuberculous pleurisy in older Neutrophils appear to be the first cells responding to individuals can be problematical, because these patients mycobacterial protein in the pleural space. In an animal tend to have other conditions that could be responsible model of purified protein derivative (tuberculin) (PPD)- for their pleural effusions, such as pleural malignancy. induced pleural effusion, neutrophils initially predom- Moreover, patients with tuberculous pleurisy do not have inate and are responsible for the recruitment of blood distinctive clinical symptoms. Fever, chest pain, weight monocytes [15]. Recent studies suggest that the meso- loss and other symptoms are present in patients with thelial cell plays a role in the recruitment of blood neu- tuberculous pleurisy as well as in patients with exuda- trophils and monocytes in tuberculous pleuritis [16]. tive effusions with other aetiologies. Initial data suggest After 3 days, lymphocytes are already predominant in that patients with tuberculous pleural effusion and HIV the tuberculous pleural fluid [12]. Most of the lympho- seropositivity have been symptomatic for a longer peri- cytes in a tuberculous pleural effusion are T-lympho- od, have additional symptoms (tachypnoea, fever, dys- cytes [17]. Lymphocytes are mainly CD4+ [17], with a pnoea, night sweat, fatigue, diarrhoea), and have more mean CD4:CD8 (helper:suppressor) ratio of about 4.3 hepatomegaly, splenomegaly and lymphadenopathy than in pleural fluid, and 1.6 in peripheral blood [18]. patients who are seronegative [29]. Recent studies provide a partial explanation of the immunological process in tuberculous pleurisy. After phagocytosing mycobacteria, macrophages act as anti- Tuberculin skin test gen-presenting cells to the T-lymphocytes, which become activated and promote differentiation of macrophages and The diagnostic evaluation of patients with tubercu- granuloma formation. Some components of the myco- lous pleurisy includes a tuberculin skin test. In popula- bacterial cell wall, such as protein/proteoglycans complex tions with a high prevalence of tuberculous infection, a and lipoarabidomannan, are able to stimulate macrophages positive skin test in a patient with a pleural exudate to produce tumour necrosis factor (TNF), a regulator of strongly suggests the diagnosis of tuberculosis, where- granuloma formation [19]. Activated pleural macrophages as the diagnostic value of a positive tuberculin skin test can also produce interleukin-1 (IL-1) [20]. Both TNF and in countries with a low prevalence of tuberculous pleurisy IL-1 are involved in lymphocyte activation. Upon expo- is lower. On the other hand, a negative tuberculin skin sure to PPD, pleural T-lymphocytes from patients with test does not rule out the diagnosis of tuberculous pleur- tuberculous pleurisy produce
Recommended publications
  • Pleural Effusion and Ventilation/Perfusion Scan Interpretation for Acute Pulmonary Embolus
    ventricular function by radionuclide angiography during exercise in normal subjects 33. Verani MS. Myocardial perfusion imaging versus two-dimensional echocardiography: and patients with chronic coronary heart disease. J Am Coll Cardiol 1983;1:1518- comparative value in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease. J NucíCardiol 1529. 1994;1:399-414. 29. Adam WE. Tarkowska A, Bitter F, Stauch M, Geffers H. Equilibrium (gated) 34. Foster T, McNeill AJ, Salustri A, et al. Simultaneous dobutamine stress echocardiog radionuclide ventriculography. Cardiovasc Radial 1979;2:161-173. raphy and technetium-99m SPECT in patients with suspected coronary artery disease. 30. Hurwitz RA, TrêvesS, Kuroc A. Right ventricular and left ventricular ejection fraction J Am Coll Cardiol I993;21:1591-I596. in pediatrie patients with normal hearts: first pass radionuclide angiography. Am 35. Marwick TH, D'Hondt AM, Mairesse GH, Baudhuin T, Wijins W, Detry JM, Meiin Heart J 1984;107:726-732. 31. Freeman ML, Palac R, Mason J, et al. A comparison of dobutamine infusion and JA. Comparative ability of dobutamine and exercise stress in inducing myocardial ischemia in active patients. Br Heart J 1994:72:31-38. supine bicycle exercise for radionuclide cardiac stress testing. Clin NucíMed 1984:9:251-255. 36. Senior R, Sridhara BS, Anagnostou E, Handler C, Raftery EB, Lahiri A. Synergistic 32. Cohen JL, Greene TO, Ottenweller J, Binebaum SZ, Wilchfort SD, Kim CS. value of simultaneous stress dobutamine sestamibi single-photon-emission computer Dobutamine digital echocardiography for detecting coronary artery disease. Am J ized tomography and echocardiography in the detection of coronary artery disease.
    [Show full text]
  • Pneumothorax Ex Vacuo in a Patient with Malignant Pleural Effusion After Pleurx Catheter Placement
    The Medicine Forum Volume 16 Article 20 2015 Pneumothorax ex vacuo in a Patient with Malignant Pleural Effusion After PleurX Catheter Placement Meera Bhardwaj, MS4 Thomas Jefferson University, [email protected] Loheetha Ragupathi, MD Thomas Jefferson University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://jdc.jefferson.edu/tmf Part of the Medicine and Health Sciences Commons Let us know how access to this document benefits ouy Recommended Citation Bhardwaj, MS4, Meera and Ragupathi, MD, Loheetha (2015) "Pneumothorax ex vacuo in a Patient with Malignant Pleural Effusion After PleurX Catheter Placement," The Medicine Forum: Vol. 16 , Article 20. DOI: https://doi.org/10.29046/TMF.016.1.019 Available at: https://jdc.jefferson.edu/tmf/vol16/iss1/20 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Jefferson Digital Commons. The Jefferson Digital Commons is a service of Thomas Jefferson University's Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL). The Commons is a showcase for Jefferson books and journals, peer-reviewed scholarly publications, unique historical collections from the University archives, and teaching tools. The Jefferson Digital Commons allows researchers and interested readers anywhere in the world to learn about and keep up to date with Jefferson scholarship. This article has been accepted for inclusion in The Medicine Forum by an authorized administrator of the Jefferson Digital Commons. For more information, please contact: [email protected]. Bhardwaj, MS4 and Ragupathi, MD: Pneumothorax ex vacuo in a Patient with Malignant Pleural Effusion After PleurX Catheter Placement Pneumothorax ex vacuo in a Patient with Malignant Pleural Effusion After PleurX Catheter Placement Meera Bhardwaj, MS4 and Loheetha Ragupathi, MD INTRODUCTION Pneumothorax ex vacuo (“without vaccuum”) is a type of pneumothorax that can develop in patients with large pleural effusions.
    [Show full text]
  • Mediastinitis and Bilateral Pleural Empyema Caused by an Odontogenic Infection
    Radiol Oncol 2007; 41(2): 57-62. doi:10.2478/v10019-007-0010-0 case report Mediastinitis and bilateral pleural empyema caused by an odontogenic infection Mirna Juretic1, Margita Belusic-Gobic1, Melita Kukuljan3, Robert Cerovic1, Vesna Golubovic2, David Gobic4 1Clinic for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 2Clinic for Anaesthesiology and Reanimatology, 3Department of Radiology, 4Clinic for Internal Medicine, Clinical hospital, Rijeka, Croatia Background. Although odontogenic infections are relatively frequent in the general population, intrathoracic dissemination is a rare complication. Acute purulent mediastinitis, known as descending necrotizing mediastin- itis (DNM), causes high mortality rate, even up to 40%, despite high efficacy of antibiotic therapy and surgical interventions. In rare cases, unilateral or bilateral pleural empyema develops as a complication of DNM. Case report. This case report presents the treatment of a young, previously healthy patient with medias- tinitis and bilateral pleural empyema caused by an odontogenic infection. After a neck and pharynx re-inci- sion, and as CT confirmed propagation of the abscess to the thorax, thoracotomy was performed followed by CT-controlled thoracic drainage with continued antibiotic therapy. The patient was cured, although the recognition of these complications was relatively delayed. Conclusions. Early diagnosis of DNM can save the patient, so if this severe complication is suspected, thoracic CT should be performed. Key words: mediastinitis; empyema, pleural; periapical abscess – complications Introduction rare complication of acute mediastinitis.1-6 Clinical manifestations of mediastinitis are Acute suppurative mediastinitis is a life- frequently nonspecific. If the diagnosis of threatening infection infrequently occur- mediastinitis is suspected, thoracic CT is ring as a result of the propagation of required regardless of negative chest X-ray.
    [Show full text]
  • An Interesting Case of Undiagnosed Pleural Effusion Case Report
    Amit Panjwani, Thuraya Zaid [email protected] Pulmonary Medicine, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Manama, Bahrain. An interesting case of undiagnosed pleural effusion Case report Pleural effusions are commonly encountered in the Investigations revealed a haemoglobin level Cite as: Panjwani A, Zaid T. clinical practise of both respiratory and nonrespiratory of 16.4 g⋅dL−1, and total leukocyte count of An interesting case of specialists. An estimated 1–1.5 million new cases in 8870 cells⋅mm−3 with a differential count of 62% undiagnosed pleural effusion. the USA and 200 000–250 000 new cases of pleural neutrophils, 28% lymphocytes, 7% monocytes, 2% Breathe 2017; 13: e46–e52. effusions are reported from the UK each year [1]. eosinophils and 1% basophils. The platelet count Analysis of the relevant clinical history, physical was 160 000 cells⋅mm−3. Creatinine, electrolytes examination, chest radiography and diagnostic and liver function tests were normal. The ECG was thoracentesis is useful in identifying the cause of unremarkable and cardiac enzymes were within pleural effusion in majority of the cases [2]. In a few normal limits. Chest radiograph (figure 1) showed a cases, the aetiology may be unclear after the initial mild, right-sided pleural effusion, blunting of the left assessment. The list of diseases that may account for costophrenic angle, no shift of mediastinal position a persistent undiagnosed pleural effusion is long [3]. and no lung parenchymal opacities. We present an interesting case of undiagnosed pleural effusion that was encountered in our hospital. R Case presentation A 33-year-old male presented to our hospital with a history of sudden-onset, pleuritic, right-sided chest pain of 2 days’ duration.
    [Show full text]
  • Differentiation of Lung Cancer, Empyema, and Abscess Through the Investigation of a Dry Cough
    Open Access Case Report DOI: 10.7759/cureus.896 Differentiation of Lung Cancer, Empyema, and Abscess Through the Investigation of a Dry Cough Brittany Urso 1 , Scott Michaels 1, 2 1. College of Medicine, University of Central Florida 2. FM Medical, Inc. Corresponding author: Brittany Urso, [email protected] Abstract An acute dry cough results commonly from bronchitis or pneumonia. When a patient presents with signs of infection, respiratory crackles, and a positive chest radiograph, the diagnosis of pneumonia is more common. Antibiotic failure in a patient being treated for community-acquired pneumonia requires further investigation through chest computed tomography. If a lung mass is found on chest computed tomography, lung empyema, abscess, and cancer need to be included on the differential and managed aggressively. This report describes a 55-year-old Caucasian male, with a history of obesity, recovered alcoholism, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertension, presenting with an acute dry cough in the primary care setting. The patient developed signs of infection and was found to have a lung mass on chest computed tomography. Treatment with piperacillin-tazobactam and chest tube placement did not resolve the mass, so treatment with thoracotomy and lobectomy was required. It was determined through surgical investigation that the patient, despite having no risk factors, developed a lung abscess. Lung abscesses rarely form in healthy middle-aged individuals making it an unlikely cause of the patient's presenting symptom, dry cough. The patient cleared his infection with proper management and only suffered minor complications of mild pneumoperitoneum and pneumothorax during his hospitalization. Categories: Cardiac/Thoracic/Vascular Surgery, Infectious Disease, Pulmonology Keywords: lung abscess, empyema, lung infection, pneumonia, thoracotomy, lobectomy, pulmonology, respiratory infections Introduction Determining the etiology of an acute dry cough can be an easy diagnosis such as bronchitis or pneumonia; however, it can also develop from other etiologies.
    [Show full text]
  • Redalyc.COMUNICAÇÕES ORAIS
    Revista Portuguesa de Pneumología ISSN: 0873-2159 [email protected] Sociedade Portuguesa de Pneumologia Portugal COMUNICAÇÕES ORAIS Revista Portuguesa de Pneumología, vol. 23, núm. 3, noviembre, 2017 Sociedade Portuguesa de Pneumologia Lisboa, Portugal Disponível em: http://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=169753668001 Como citar este artigo Número completo Sistema de Informação Científica Mais artigos Rede de Revistas Científicas da América Latina, Caribe , Espanha e Portugal Home da revista no Redalyc Projeto acadêmico sem fins lucrativos desenvolvido no âmbito da iniciativa Acesso Aberto Document downloaded from http://www.elsevier.es, day 06/12/2017. This copy is for personal use. Any transmission of this document by any media or format is strictly prohibited. COMUNICAÇÕES ORAIS CO 001 CO 002 COPD EXACERBATIONS IN AN INTERNAL MEDICINE MORTALITY AFTER ACUTE EXACERBATION OF COPD WARD REQUIRING NONINVASIVE VENTILATION C Sousa, L Correia, A Barros, L Brazão, P Mendes, V Teixeira D Maia, D Silva, P Cravo, A Mineiro, J Cardoso Hospital Central do Funchal Serviço de Pneumologia do Hospital de Santa Marta, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central Key-words: COPD, Hospital admissions, Follow-up, Management, Indicators Key-words: AECOPD, NIV, Mortality Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Introduction: Acute COPD exacerbations (AECOPD) are serious is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. The occurrence of episodes in the natural history of the disease and are associ - acute exacerbations (AE) contributes to the gravity of the dis - ated with significant mortality. Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) is a ease. Many of these cases are admitted in an Internal Medicine well-established therapy in hypercapnic AECOPD.
    [Show full text]
  • Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis: a Perplexing Clinical Entity Ashok Shah,1* Chandramani Panjabi2
    Review Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2016 July;8(4):282-297. http://dx.doi.org/10.4168/aair.2016.8.4.282 pISSN 2092-7355 • eISSN 2092-7363 Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis: A Perplexing Clinical Entity Ashok Shah,1* Chandramani Panjabi2 1Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University of Delhi, Delhi, India 2Department of Respiratory Medicine, Mata Chanan Devi Hospital, New Delhi, India This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. In susceptible individuals, inhalation of Aspergillus spores can affect the respiratory tract in many ways. These spores get trapped in the viscid spu- tum of asthmatic subjects which triggers a cascade of inflammatory reactions that can result in Aspergillus-induced asthma, allergic bronchopulmo- nary aspergillosis (ABPA), and allergic Aspergillus sinusitis (AAS). An immunologically mediated disease, ABPA, occurs predominantly in patients with asthma and cystic fibrosis (CF). A set of criteria, which is still evolving, is required for diagnosis. Imaging plays a compelling role in the diagno- sis and monitoring of the disease. Demonstration of central bronchiectasis with normal tapering bronchi is still considered pathognomonic in pa- tients without CF. Elevated serum IgE levels and Aspergillus-specific IgE and/or IgG are also vital for the diagnosis. Mucoid impaction occurring in the paranasal sinuses results in AAS, which also requires a set of diagnostic criteria. Demonstration of fungal elements in sinus material is the hall- mark of AAS.
    [Show full text]
  • The Spectrum of Computed Tomography Appearances
    RESPIRATORY MEDICIXE (1997) 91, 213-219 Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis: the spectrum of computed tomography appearances N. PANCHAL",R. BHAGAT",C. PANT+AND A. SHAH" “Department of Clinical Research, Vallabhbhai Pate1 Chest Institute, University of Delhi, Delhi, lndia ‘Imaging Division, Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences, Timaupuv, Delhi, India Although computed tomography (CT) of the thorax has been compared to plain chest radiography and bronchography for demonstration of central bronchiectasis (CB) in allergic bronchopulmonary aspergil- losis (ABPA), the CT presentation of the disease is yet to be highlighted. With this in view, the CT appearances in 23 patients with ABPA were evaluated. The scans were assessed for bronchial, parenchymal and pleural abnormalities. Central bronchiectasis was identified in all patients, involving 114 (85%) of the 134 lobes and 210 (52%) of the 406 segments studied. Other bronchial abnormalities such as dilated and totally occluded bronchi (11 patients), air-fluid levels within dilated bronchi (five patients), bronchial wall thickening (10 patients) and parallel-line shadows (seven patients) were also observed. Parenchymal abnormalities, which had a predilection for upper lobes, included consolidation in 10 (43%) patients, collapse in four (17%) patients and parenchymal scarring in 19 (83%) patients. A total of six cavities were seen in three (13%) patients, and an emphysematous bullae was detected in one (4%) patient. The pleura was involved in 10 (43%) patients. Ipsilateral pleural effusion with collapse was observed in one patient, while in nine other patients, parenchymal lesions extended up to the pleura. Concomitant allergic Aspergillus sinusitis (AAS) was also detected in three (13%) of the 23 patients.
    [Show full text]
  • Case Report Cryptogenic Organising Pneumonia: Clinical, Pathological, and Prognostic Analysis of 27 Cases
    Int J Clin Exp Med 2016;9(3):6911-6919 www.ijcem.com /ISSN:1940-5901/IJCEM0019752 Case Report Cryptogenic organising pneumonia: clinical, pathological, and prognostic analysis of 27 cases Yanli Li1*, Yan Li1*, Fengfeng Han1, Haiyang Yu1, Tianyun Yang1, Huimin Li2, Wenbin Guan3, Xuejun Guo1 Departments of 1Respiratory Medicine, 2Radiology, Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, China; 3Department of Pathology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, China. *Equal contributors and co-first authors. Received November 14, 2015; Accepted November 29, 2015; Epub March 15, 2016; Published March 30, 2016 Abstract: Background: Buds of granulation tissue within the lumen of distal pulmonary airspaces characterises organising pneumonia (OP). This study aimed to analyse the clinical and pathological features and prognosis of pa- tients with cryptogenic OP. Methods: Twenty-seven patients were retrospectively analysed. A multidisciplinary team (a clinician, radiologist, and pathologist) diagnosed all patients. Clinical features, laboratory data, chest radiology, treatment and prognosis, pulmonary function, and haematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemical staining were assessed. Results: Symptoms (in decreasing prevalence) were cough, dyspnoea, fever, and chest tightness. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (in most patients) and C-reactive protein level were increased. Radiologic findings (in decreasing prevalence) were consolidation, nodules, and band-like opacities. The lung function results were ‘normal’ and ‘restrictive’ in 30.8% and 38.5% of patients, respectively. Most patients responded to corticosteroids. The prognosis of the patients was excellent in 77.8% and poor in 22.2%. Organised polypoid granulation inflamma- tory tissue was in the distal bronchiole airways, respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, and alveoli.
    [Show full text]
  • Cryptogenic Organizing Pneumonia: Evolution of Morphological Patterns Assessed by HRCT
    diagnostics Article Cryptogenic Organizing Pneumonia: Evolution of Morphological Patterns Assessed by HRCT Francesco Tiralongo 1,* , Monica Palermo 1, Giulio Distefano 1 , Ada Vancheri 2, Gianluca Sambataro 2,3 , Sebastiano Emanuele Torrisi 2, Federica Galioto 1, Agata Ferlito 1, Giulia Fazio 1, Pietro Valerio Foti 1, Letizia Antonella Mauro 1, Carlo Vancheri 2, Stefano Palmucci 1 and Antonio Basile 1 1 Radiology Unit 1, Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “GF Ingrassia”—University Hospital “Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele”, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; [email protected] (M.P.); [email protected] (G.D.); [email protected] (F.G.); [email protected] (A.F.); [email protected] (G.F.); [email protected] (P.V.F.); [email protected] (L.A.M.); [email protected] (S.P.); [email protected] (A.B.) 2 Regional Referral Centre for Rare Lung Diseases, A. O. U. “Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele” Dept. of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; [email protected] (A.V.); [email protected] (G.S.); [email protected] (S.E.T.); [email protected] (C.V.) 3 Artroreuma S.R.L., Outpatient of Rheumatology associated with the National Health System, Corso S. Vito 53, 95030 Mascalucia (Catania), Italy * Correspondence: [email protected] Received: 14 April 2020; Accepted: 28 April 2020; Published: 29 April 2020 Abstract: To evaluate the radiological findings in patients with cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP) before steroid treatment and their behavior after therapy, we retrospectively evaluated a total of 22 patients with a diagnosis of COP made by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), biopsy or clinical/radiological features, and the patients were followed between 2014 and 2018 at the hospital; the demographic data, symptoms, radiologic findings, diagnostic methods and treatment plans of patients were collected from patients’ hospital records.
    [Show full text]
  • Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis: a Clinical Review of 24 Patients: Are We Right in Frequent Serologic Monitoring?
    [Downloaded free from http://www.thoracicmedicine.org on Sunday, March 22, 2015, IP: 41.36.247.20] || Click here to download free Android application for this journal Original Article Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis: A clinical review of 24 patients: Are we right in frequent serologic monitoring? Subramanian Natarajan, Poonam Subramanian1 Department of Abstract: Pulmonary Medicine, BACKGROUND: Allergic Broncho Pulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA) is a rare disease characterized by an allergic Dhanwantary Hospital, infl ammatory response to the colonization by aspergillus or other fungi in the airways. The aim was to study the Mumbai, 1Pulmonary clinical, radiological, and serological characteristics of patients of ABPA. Medicine, The Lung MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective observational study of patients with breathlessness, chronic cough, Centre, Mumbai, blood eosinophilia, and infi ltrates on chest X-ray were evaluated with serologic and allergic skin fungal tests using Maharashtra, India 15 common fungal antigens. Total of 24 patients were diagnosed as ABPA. RESULTS: Total 24 patients, 15 males (62%), 9 females (38%). Age range: 14-70 years, mean 49.13, standard Address for deviation (SD) 14.12. Central bronchiectasis — sixteen patients, bronchocoele — one patient, consolidation — correspondence: fi ve patients, collapse with mucous plugging with areas of consolidation — three patients, one patient had Dr. Subramanian bronchiectasis, consolidation with hemorrhagic pleural effusion. Fifty-eight percent of patients had received Natarajan, anti-tuberculosis medications prior to diagnosis. Serum total IgE varied from 340 to 18100 IU/mL. Two patients Department of Pulmonary had IgE levels below 1,000 IU/mL. The mean decrease in Serum total IgE levels at the end of 1 month was Medicine, Dhanwantary 26.1% (range: 0.7-71.9%) and at the end of 2 months was 58.9% (range: 11.11-93.26%) (P value of 0.004).
    [Show full text]
  • Original Article Role of Pleural Fluid Attenuation Values on CT for Hemothorax Diagnosis in Trauma Patients
    Int J Clin Exp Med 2018;11(8):8430-8437 www.ijcem.com /ISSN:1940-5901/IJCEM0068790 Original Article Role of pleural fluid attenuation values on CT for hemothorax diagnosis in trauma patients Esin Akgul Kalkan1, Nilüfer Aylanç2 Departments of 1Forensic Medicine, 2Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Canakkale, Turkey Received November 8, 2017; Accepted June 3, 2018; Epub August 15, 2018; Published August 30, 2018 Abstract: Background and aim: Hemothorax is a critical issue in patients with chest trauma. It should be diagnosed quickly and accurately. The study’s aim was to define the potential role of pleural fluid (PF) attenuation value deter- mined on computerized tomography (CT) for the diagnosis of traumatic hemothorax. Methods: From 01.07.2011 to 01.07.2016, patients with PF detected on CT with tube thoracostomy were reviewed. On CT sections, PF attenuation values taken from levels where pleural fluid had the most intense appearance were measured as Hounsfield Units (HU). The relationship between HU values and chest traumatic findings, macroscopic discharge diagnosis, peripher- al blood Hb and Htc levels and CT protocol were investigated. Results: Thirty-eight cases were reviewed in the study group. All PF HU values were determined to be more than 20.0 HU. PF attenuation values were more than 35 HU in 71.1% (n:27) of the cases and between 20.0 and 34.9 for 28.9% (n:11). In the subgroup with hemorrhagic fluid drained from the thoracic cavity, HU values were often higher than 35. For the sub-groups with and without coexist- ing traumatic findings, there was no statistically significant difference in terms of PF density being below or above 35 HU.
    [Show full text]