Mounier-Kuhn syndrome in poorly controlled asthma.

INTRODUCTION: Mounier-Kuhn syndrome or tracheobronchomegaly, is a rare condition that consists of abnormal dilation of the trachea and main bronchi due to a pathological arrangement of smooth muscle fibers in this area. CASE REPORT: We present the case of a 46-year-old woman with poorly controlled asthma and recurrent infections, who was diagnosed with Mounier-Kuhn syndrome through a computed tomography scan revealing an unusual enlargement of the trachea with associated bronchiectasis. RESULTS: The diagnosis of Mounier-Kuhn syndrome is radiological, involving measurement of the trachea where a diameter >25 mm in men and >21 mm in women is observed. While diagnosis is sometimes incidental, there is an association with respiratory diseases such as asthma or COPD, hence clinical suspicion is important in patients with poorly controlled underlying conditions who present with recurrent infections, inadequate secretion management, or even hemoptysis. CONCLUSIONS: Despite its rarity, this syndrome significantly impacts patients' quality of life. Diagnosis and management involve comprehensive evaluations including computed tomography, with a multidisciplinary approach including pulmonologists and radiologists. Exploring its clinical features, associations with other respiratory diseases and treatment options is crucial in managing this rare respiratory condition.

Cytologic features of a pleural effusion after silicone breast implant rupture.

Pleural effusion is an extremely rare complication of ruptured breast silicone implants. Rupture may be related to a recent trauma or occur spontaneously, making its diagnosis more difficult. In the few reported cases, cytology did not play a relevant role in its diagnosis. We describe and illustrate a silicone foreign body reaction in a pleural effusion. Cytologic findings were so remarkable as to permit a specific diagnosis. The patient, a 37-year-old female with a history of previous bilateral breast implant surgery was admitted because of a pleural effusion. Computed tomography scan showed a left effusion with secondary atelectasis and bilateral breast rupture with lymph node "siliconomas." Cytologic analysis of the effusion showed well-defined droplets or globules of transparent material, in addition to a microvacuolized background. Where abundant silicone droplets induced a staining artifact of the smears. These were cellular with numerous macrophages containing large vacuoles displacing the nuclei to the periphery. Some had a signet cell ring appearance, while others showed multinucleation. Flow cytometry revealed a predominant macrophagic cell population. With the increasing use of silicone breast implants, rare complications such as pleural effusion may become more common. The pathologist must consider this possibility when extracellular transparent droplets or evidence of a foreign body-type reaction are present. The artifact appearance of the smears may help to suspect it. This rare complication must be always considered when evaluating effusions in patients with silicone breast implants.

Experience With Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor in Patients With Cystic Fibrosis and Advanced Disease.

INTRODUCTION: Elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (ETI) was used through the early access programme in Spain from December 2019 in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients with homozygous or heterozygous F508del mutation with advanced lung disease. METHODOLOGY: Multicentre, ambispective, observational, study in which 114 patients in follow-up in 16 national CF units were recruited. Clinical data, functional tests, nutritional parameters, quality of life questionnaires, microbiological isolates, number of exacerbations, antibiotic treatments and side effects were collected. The study also compared patients with homozygous and heterozygous F508del mutations. RESULTS: Of the 114 patients, 85 (74.6%) were heterozygous for F508del mutation, and the mean age was 32.2±9.96 years. After 30 months of treatment, lung function measured by FEV1% showed improvement from 37.5 to 48.6 (p<0.001), BMI increased from 20.5 to 22.3 (p<0.001), and all isolated microorganisms decreased significantly. The total number of exacerbations was also significantly reduced from 3.9 (±2.9) to 0.9 (±1.1) (p<0.001). All items in the CFQ-R questionnaire showed improvement, except for the digestive domain. Oxygen therapy use decreased by 40%, and only 20% of patients referred for lung transplantation remained on the active transplant list. ETI was well-tolerated, with only 4 patients discontinuing treatment due to hypertransaminemia. CONCLUSIONS: ETI decreases the number of exacerbations, increases lung function and nutritional parameters, decrease in all isolated microorganisms, for 30 months of treatment. There is an improvement in the CFQ-R questionnaire score except for the digestive item. It is a safe and well-tolerated drug.