Position dependent dyspnea and hypoxemia.

A 63-year-old man was analyzed for platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome (POS). A complete obstruction due to bronchial carcinoma was found in the left main bronchus with bronchoscopy. After left sided pneumonectomy POS resolved completely. Historical reports suggest increased shunting through the left lung could occur in the upright position caused by decreased compression of the left pulmonary artery due to the central bronchial carcinoma. Partially absent hypoxic vasoconstriction was confirmed in this case and suggests (without a relevant shunt through a patent foramen ovale) this 'historical' hypothesis could explain the POS due to increased shunting in the upright position in this patient.

Incidence and risk factors of unplanned emergency department visits following thoracic surgery.

Background: Unplanned visits for care following a surgical procedure can represent a lapse in quality of care. The purpose of this study was to define the proportion of patients undergoing thoracic surgery who return to the emergency department (ED) within 6 months after discharge and the reasons for the returns. In addition, the risk factors for ED visits after thoracic surgery were identified. Methods: All adult patients undergoing thoracic surgery at the Leiden University Medical Center between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2017, were reviewed. To identify potential risk factors for ED return visits, a multivariate regression analysis was performed. A subgroup analysis of patients who reported pain during the ED visit was performed to identify the risk factors for pain-related return to the ED. Results: Of 277 patients who underwent thoracic surgery, 27.4% (n = 76) returned to the ED within 6 months after discharge. Among these patients, 41 (53.9%) presented with postoperative pain. Younger patients (odds ratio [OR], 0.98; P = .04), those who were operated on through a thoracotomy (OR, 2.92; P = .04), and those reporting a high pain score on the ward (OR, 1.98; P < .001) were at increased risk of returning to the ED. Conclusions: The rate of patients returning to the ED after thoracic surgery was high. Pain was the most frequently reported reason for unplanned ED visits. The results of this study highlight the need to optimize the postoperative care and the follow-up of patients undergoing thoracic surgery.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the lung: A rare endobronchial mass.

A 42-year old male was referred with a 6-week history of new onset dyspnea. The patient had normal vital signs, no relevant medical history and the only abnormality was a left sided inspiratory wheeze. No abnormalities were seen on the chest X-ray. A bronchoscopy was performed which showed a well-circumscribed hypervasculated mass in the left main bronchus. A biopsy was taken, which was complicated after the procedure by dislocation of the mass and coughed up by the patient. Both samples were send for pathologic review. A contrast CT was performed which showed a localized remaining mass in the left main bronchus and no lymph node involvement. Pathological evaluation showed spindle-shaped cell proliferation with mitotic activity in the second larger tissue which could be consistent with an inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT), whereas the first biopsy sample only showed granulomatous inflammation. Following multidisciplinary review the diagnosis of IMT was made and a treatment plan was decided. Because of the localized position of the mass the patient was treated with laser coagulation via rigid bronchoscopy instead of surgery. Bronchoscopic review afterwards showed complete resolution of the mass and the dyspnea had resolved. This case highlights the difficulty of making the IMT-diagnosis and the option of treating it with laser coagulation via rigid bronchoscopy.

Simple and safe exclusion of pulmonary embolism in outpatients using quantitative D-dimer and Wells' simplified decision rule.

A safe and effective management strategy is pivotal in excluding pulmonary embolism (PE). The combination of Wells' simplified dichotomous clinical decision rule and D-dimer test is non-invasive and could be highly efficient, though its safety has not been widely studied. We evaluated safety and efficiency of this combination in excluding PE. Wells clinical decision rule was performed in 941 consecutive patients with suspected PE and, if patients had a score

We're in this together: Patients', caregivers' and health care providers' illness perceptions about non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

This study reviews empirical studies in the area of illness perceptions in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Beliefs about the illness and its consequences, including its medical management, are part of the review. Also, the relatively small research area of perceptions and views about patients with NSCLC of caregivers and health care providers is reviewed. Given our earlier review of the topic in this Journal [5], we now report on papers published after that 2011 publication. 38 papers were identified, a quite major increase in published research compared to the 15 papers in our previous publication (2011 and earlier). Most papers report on psychosocial concepts that determine responses to the illness and its treatment. Increasingly, reactions of caregivers and health care providers are studied. These last two categories of respondents perceive the psychosocial consequences of NSCLC as more severe than the patients themselves. Psychosocial variables appear to be stronger predictors of psychological distress and reduced quality of life than sociodemographic or clinical variables. These results are instrumental in the developing field of psychosocial interventions for patients with non-small-cell lung cancer and their caregivers, which may also be helpful for health care providers. Suggestions for research and clinical implications are presented.

Complete pathological resolution of pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis.

Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis (pLCH) and lung cancer. Resolution of pLCH may occur spontaneously, after smoking cessation or other interventions. However, despite clinicoradiological resolution, residual pulmonary Langerhans cells may be present and may lead to recurrent disease. We report the first case of pLCH with a complete histological resolution.

Illness perceptions and quality of life in Japanese and Dutch patients with non-small-cell lung cancer.

This study examined quality of life (QOL) and illness perceptions in Dutch and Japanese patients with non-small-cell lung cancer, thereby extending the body of knowledge on cultural differences and psychosocial aspects of this illness. 24 Dutch and 22 Japanese patients with non-small-cell lung cancer filled out questionnaires on three occasions: immediately before chemotherapy, 1 week later, and 8 weeks after the initial chemotherapy. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) assessed QOL, and the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (B-IPQ) illness perceptions. Scores on several QOL measures indicated (a) major impact of first chemotherapy sessions, and (b) some tendency to returning to baseline measures at 8 weeks. Differences between Japanese and Dutch samples were found on five EORTC QLQ-C30 dimensions: global health status, emotional functioning, social functioning, constipation, and financial difficulties, with the Dutch patients reporting more favorable scores. Regarding illness perceptions, Japanese patients had higher means on perceived treatment control and personal control, expressing a higher sense of belief in the success of medical treatment than Dutch patients. In both Japanese and Dutch patients, impact of chemotherapy on QOL was evident. Some differences in illness perceptions and QOL between the two samples were observed, with implications for integral medical management. Both samples reported illness perceptions that reflect the major consequences of non-small-cell lung cancer. Incorporating symptom reports, illness perceptions, and QOL into medical management may have positive consequences for patients with non-small-cell lung cancer.