Background: Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), requiring the intensive care unit (ICU) care, has been a high-mortality condition until now. In the present study, we aimed to investigate clinical features and parameters associated with TB mortality. Methods: From August 2003 to December 2008, patients with microbiologically or histologically confirmed pulmonary TB then admitted to the ICU, were retrospectively enrolled into the study. Upon enrollment, their medical records were reviewed. Results: Forty three patients (30 males, 13 females) were included and their mean age was 63.8 years (range: 17∼87 years). Twelve patients died, an overall in-hospital mortality of 27.8%. The main reason for the ICU care was dyspnea or hypoxemia requiring mechanical ventilation (n=17). Other diagnoses for ICU care were hemoptysis, monitoring after procedures, neurologic dysfunction, shock, and gastrointestinal bleeding. On univariate analysis, the factors affecting the mortality were malnutrition-related parameters including low body mass index, hypoalbuminemia, lymphocytopenia, and hypocholersterolemia, as well as severity-related variables such as high acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) score, number of involved lobes, and high C-reactive protein. In addition, respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation and acute respiratory distress syndrome contributed to patient fatality. It was shown on multivariate analysis that respiratory failure and hypoalbuminemia were significantly independent variables associated with the mortality. Conclusion: Acute respiratory failure is the most common reason for the ICU care and also the most important factor in predicting poor outcome. In addition, our data suggest that the parameters associated with malnutrition could be possible factors contributing to mortality.
Background: Pulmonary sarcoidosis often involves mediastinal or hilar lymph nodes in the lung parenchyma. Mediastinoscopy is the gold standard for diagnosis, but it is invasive and expensive. Transbronchial needle aspiration using conventional bronchoscope is less invasive than mediastinoscopy, but its diagnostic accuracy is in question due to the blind approach to targeting lymph nodes. Transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) via endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) has high diagnostic value due to direct visualization of lymph nodes and to its relatively safeness. The purpose of this study was to assess the usefulness of EBUS-TBNA in the diagnosis of pulmonary sarcoidosis. Methods: Twenty-five patients with symptoms of sarcoidosis were enrolled into this study. Core tissue was obtained for a definitive diagnosis. Endobronchial biopsy, transbronchial lung biopsy, and bronchoalveolar lavage were performed to verify diagnosis. For patients without a confirmed diagnosis after the above procedures were performed, the additional procedures of mediastinoscopy or video-associated thoracoscopic surgery were performed to confirm a final diagnosis. Results: A total 25 EBUS procedures were done and 50 lymph nodes were aspirated. Thirty-three (37) out of 50 lymph nodes were consistent with non-caseating granuloma, confirming sarcoidosis as the final diagnosis. Sarcoidosis was the final diagnosis for all 25 patients, and 21 required EBUS-TBNA for a final diagnosis. There were no complications associated with the procedure. Conclusion: EBUS-TBNA is already a well-known procedure for diagnosing mediastinal or hilar lymphadenopathy. We used EBUS-TBNA for the diagnosis of pulmonary sarcoidosis and our results showed 84% diagnostic accuracy and no complications related to the procedure. EBUS-TBNA is a reliable and practical diagnostic modality in the diagnosis of pulmonary sarcoidosis.
Background: Pulmonary hypertension is considered as a poor prognosis factor in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). There has been reported brain natriuretic peptide (pro-BNP) is related with increased right ventricular (RV) workloads. However, there are few studies that evaluate the relationship between BNP and pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP), RV function and St. George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) score in patients with COPD, and the effects of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) on these parameters. Methods: Pulmonary function test, echocardiography, blood BNP, and SGRQ score were evaluated in stabilized moderate degree COPD patients (FEV1/FVC＜70%, 50%≤FEV1＜80%) aged 45 years and over, without worsening of symptoms within recent 3 months. After treating with ramipril 10 mg for 3 months, the same evaluation was repeated. Results: Twenty-two patients were included in this study. BNP was significantly correlated with PAP (Pearson coefficient ρ=0.51, p=0.02), but not with RV ejection fraction (EF) and predicted FEV1%. The values for predicted FEV1% showed significant correlation with SGRQ total score and activity score, but not with BNP or PAP. After ramipril treatment, PAP showed significant decrease (42.8±8.1 vs. 34.5±4.5 mm Hg p=0.0003), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion significant increase (21.5±3.3 vs. 22.7±3.1 mm p=0.009). BNP showed a tendency to decrease without statistical significance (40.8±59.6 vs. 18.0±9.1 pg/mL p=0.55). SGRQ scores showed no significant change. Conclusion: BNP showed significant correlation with resting PAP, which means BNP could be used as markers for pulmonary hypertension. Treatment with ACEI didn’t show significant change in the level of BNP, while pulmonary hypertension and RV function were improved.
Background: QuantiFERONⓇ-TB Gold In Tube (QFT-G IT) has been used for diagnosing latent tuberculosis infection and active tuberculosis (TB) since 2007. However, there has not been enough data on QFT-G IT for universal use in children. In this study, we evaluated the clinical usefulness of the QFT-G IT in pediatric practice. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of 70 patients younger than 18 years of age who had taken QFT-G IT and had a tuberculin skin test (TST) between July 2007 and July 2009 at Wonju Christian Hospital. The subjects were divided into two groups, asymptomatic TB exposure group and disease group. Four patients who were taking immunosuppressants during the study period were excluded. Results: A total of 66 immunocompetent children were included in this study. Among 27 asymptomatic children who had contact histories of TB, 6 (22.2%) were found to be positive by QFT-G IT. Eleven (40.7%) and 5 (18.5%) children were found to be positive by TST with cutoff values of ≥5 mm and ≥10 mm, respectively. Agreement was fair to good between QFT-G IT and TST (κ=0.59: cutoff value ≥5 mm, κ=0.7: cutoff value ≥10 mm). In disease group, 14 patients (35.9%) were diagnosed with active tuberculosis, 8/14 (57.1%) were positive on TST and 9/14 (64.3%) on QFT-G IT. The positive rate of acid-fast bacilli smear, TB-polymerase chain reaction, and culture for tuberculosis was 11% (1/9), 27.3% (3/11) and 33.3% (3/9), respectively. Conclusion: Our data support that the QFT-G IT can be used as an additional diagnostic tool for latent and active tuberculosis infection in children.
A 55-year old woman with advanced stage non-small cell lung cancer was admitted to hospital for the management of severe chest pain, which measured 7 out of 10 on a numerical rating scale (NRS). Despite palliative radiation and the application of multiple epidural blocks, she continued to experience severe cancer pain. We gradually increased the dose of transdermal fentanyl patches from 500 μg/hr to 3,650 μg/hr, for 3 months without any significant side effects. Concomitantly, adjuvant therapy with antidepressants and anticonvulsants were added, decreasing the patient’s pain to NRS 3∼4 down from 7. After being transferred to a hospice clinic, her chest pain was well-controlled below NRS 4 by means of strong opioid medications, including the highest dose of transdermal fentanyl 4,050 μg/hr for more than 16 months.
A hidden primary tumor presenting as an isolated lung mass is a diagnostic challenge to physicians because the diagnosis of lung cancer is likely to be made if the histologic findings are not inconsistent with lung cancer. A large lung mass was found incidentally in a 59-year-old man. Although adenocarcinoma was diagnosed by percutaneous needle biopsy, thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1) immunostaining was negative, raising suspicion that there was another primary site. There was no abnormal finding except for the lung mass on a 18FDG-PET/CT scan and the patient did not complain of any discomfort. Finally, prostatic cancer was confirmed through the study of tumor markers and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) immunostaining. Because of the rare presentation of a single lung mass in malignancies that have another primary site, physicians should carefully review all data before making a final diagnosis of lung cancer.
Although TaxolⓇ is one of the most successful drugs in current cancer chemotherapy against solid tumors, a major problem is hypersensitivity reactions that arises as a consequence of activation of the complement (C) system, “C activation-related pseudo-allergy”. Most severe hypersenstivity reactions occur within the first few minutes of TaxolⓇ administration, usually after the first or second dose. Here we report a case of a severe hypersensitivity reaction in a 72-year-old man undergoing Genexol-PMⓇ infusion. Hypotension and polymorphic pruritic skin rash appeared 2 hours after the start of Genexol-PMⓇ infusion (with an appropriate premedication). Treating with methylprednisolone, epinephrine and inotropic agents, reduced the hypotension and the skin rash disappeared. We report this case with a review of the literature.
Diaphragmatic paralysis can be demonstrated through diaphragmatic elevation on chest X-ray after thoracic lung surgery or the placement of chest tubing. Additional causes of diaphragmatic paralysis are iatrogenic, mass, atelectasis, etc. For the diagnosis of diaphragmatic paralysis, it required some studies (fluoroscopy, computed tomography [CT], magnetic resonance imaging). Diaphragmatic hernia of the liver is a rare clinical entity, usually found after trauma in adults. Congenital diaphragmatic hernia in neonates requires surgery. Non-traumatic diaphragmatic hernia of the liver in an adult is a rare right-sided diaphragmatic hernia. On developing any symptoms, surgery must be performed. When diaphragmatic hernia is incidentally found in adults without trauma, it is placed under observation for a time period. We diagnosed the diaphragmatic herniation of a right hepatic lobe by 16-slice CT scan without surgery.