ABSTRACT
Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) should be considered as a differential diagnosis in children and adolescents with frequent infections, especially when caused by certain specific pathogens.This case report describes a 64-year-old female with multiple recurrent and complicated bronchopulmonary infections, caused by common, but also rare pathogens, autoimmune phenomena, malignancies and recurrent organizing pneumonia (OP) with granulomas. Finally, the patient was diagnosed with p47phox-deficient chronic granulomatous disease (CGD).Individuals with a primary immunodeficiency may survive multiple complications and may be diagnosed at an advanced age especially if the affected structure shows residual activity. When confronted with patients with recurrent bronchopulmonary infections, especially with certain specific rare pathogens, in combination with organizing pulmonary granulomas as well as autoimmune phenomena, CGD should be considered even in elderly patients. Delayed diagnosis significantly increases mortality and morbidity in such cases.
Subject(s)
Granulomatous Disease, Chronic/diagnosis , Pneumonia/diagnosis , Diagnosis, Differential , Female , Granulomatous Disease, Chronic/complications , Humans , Infections , Middle Aged , Pneumonia/etiologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Implant of indwelling pleural catheters (IPC) represents an established therapy method in addition to pleurodesis for symptomatic recurrent benign and malignant pleural effusions (BPE and MPE).There are only few studies on IPC safety during follow-up, especially with regard to infection and pneumothorax rates.The aim of our investigation was to determine the complication frequency after IPC implant and its predictive factors in patients with BPE vs. MPE. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of all IPC implantations in the pneumology department at the University Hospital Dresden during 2015â-â2018. RESULTS: An IPC was implanted in 86 patients (43âm/f each; age 66.9â±â13.3 years) with symptomatic BPE and MPE. BPE and MPE was present in 12.8â% (11/86) and 87.2â% (75/86) of the patients, respectively.A predominantly small and asymptomatic pneumothorax was detectable as an immediate complication in 43/86 (50â%) of patients; 34/43 (79â%) of patients did not require any specific therapy. For 9/43 patients, IPC suction was required for a median period of three days; 8/43 patients had a large pneumothorax with partial or complete regression after a median period of two days.Catheter infection developed in 15.1â% (13/86) of the total group and 36.4â% (4/11) of the BPE vs. 12â% (9/75) of the MPE after a median period of 87 (BPE/MPE 116/87) days. This was more common in BPE (pâ=â0.035), large pneumothorax (4/8 patients; pâ=â0.015) and longer catheter dwell times (124â±â112 vs. 71â±â112 days; pâ=â0.07). CONCLUSION: Small pneumothoraxes are frequent after IPC implantation, but usually do not require specific therapy. IPC infection was detected in 15.1â% of all patients after a median period of 87 days. This was more common in patients with BPE, longer catheter dwell times and large pneumothorax.
Subject(s)
Catheters, Indwelling/adverse effects , Drainage/instrumentation , Pleural Effusion, Malignant/therapy , Pleural Effusion/surgery , Aged , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pleural Effusion, Malignant/pathology , Pleurodesis , Retrospective Studies , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
CPAP is the most common treatment for obstructive sleep apnea.Serious complications from this treatment are very rare. Pneumothorax following lung barotrauma under CPAP therapy has been described in case reports only in patients with pre-existing lung and thoracic diseases.A 68-year-old sleep apnea patient without pre-existing lung or thoracic diseases and with established CPAP therapy since many years was admitted to the hospital after a severe thoracic pain event with persistent shortness of breath. Chest radiograph and computed tomography showed an extensive right-sided pneumothorax with basal bullous emphysema. After surgical treatment of the secondary spontaneous pneumothorax, on the third postoperative day CPAP with reduced pressure was re-introduced with satisfactory sleep apnea findings and without pneumothorax recurrence.As possible cause of pneumothorax in the patient, alveolar inflammatory changes due to over-distention and increased pressure in the alveoli was assumed, which can occur after years of CPAP treatment with gradual pressure increase.In summary, in sleep apnea patients treated with CPAP for years, after sudden onset of thoracic pain and shortness of breath possible spontaneous pneumothorax should be considered.