Persistent unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis in the course of Coronavirus Disease 2019 pneumonia: a case report.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 infections can cause a wide range of symptoms, particularly in the respiratory system. Diaphragmatic paralysis is a rare condition that is poorly documented in the literature. We present the case of a 38-year-old Caucasian male adult who developed unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis during the course of the disease. The patient presented to the Emergency Department with fever, cough, and dyspnea, was admitted, and was immediately fitted with a high flow nasal cannula. When his condition worsened eight days later, he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit and a tracheostomy was performed. A CT scan of the chest revealed significant left diaphragm elevation. On the 48th day, the patient gradually improved and was discharged. The paralysis of the diaphragm persisted three months later in the follow-up examination. This case illustrates a possible neuromuscular virus invasion that may have an impact on the patient's health after discharge.

Mepolizumab in Severe Eosinophilic Asthma: A 2-Year Follow-Up in Specialized Asthma Clinics in Greece: An Interim Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Mepolizumab is a monoclonal antibody against IL-5 for the treatment of severe eosinophilic asthma. The aim of the current study was to present a predesigned interim analysis of the data of patients who have completed 1 year of therapy with mepolizumab. METHODS: This study is a prospective multicenter, noninterventional 2-year observational study and aims to describe the clinical benefit and safety profile of mepolizumab in patients with severe eosinophilic asthma. RESULTS: Compared to the year preceding the initiation of treatment, the annual rate of exacerbations decreased significantly, from 4.3 ± 2.3 to 1.3 ± 1.8; p < 0.0001. Forty-two patients received maintenance dose of oral corticosteroids (OCS) at baseline. From these patients at the end of 1 year of therapy with mepolizumab, 17 patients (40%) had achieved OCS discontinuation. A reduction in the median dose of OCS was also achieved. After 1 year of treatment with mepolizumab, the asthma control test score significantly increased from 16.3 ± 3.7 to 21.2 ± 3.8 (p < 0.0001). This marked clinical improvement was paralleled by a significant reduction of blood eosinophil count. All patients showed a considerable improvement of airflow limitation. In respect to adverse events of treatment with mepolizumab, 19 patients (27%) were recorded to have at least one such occurrence during their 1-year treatment. CONCLUSIONS: We have shown that in patients with severe eosinophilic asthma, 1 year of treatment with mepolizumab was safe, resulted in significant reduction of the annual exacerbation rate, reduction (or even discontinuation) of the needed dose of OCS, and improvements of asthma control and lung function.

Acute Massive Pulmonary Embolism with Direct Visualization of a Free-floating Right Heart Thrombus Successfully Treated with Fibrinolysis: A Case Report.

A male patient with a history of immobilization due to motor weakness, was transferred to our emergency department after syncope during physiotherapy, with recorded hypotension. Transthoracic echocardiography showed severe dilatation of the right ventricle (RV), with apex hypercontractility and almost akinetic RV free wall. The above findings, in addition to the unexpected visualization of a large, free-floating, right atrial thrombus, a rare finding associated with high mortality, readily confirmed the clinical suspicion of acute pulmonary embolism (PE) causing circulatory collapse. Intravenous fibrinolysis and vasopressor therapy were successfully administered, and hemodynamic instability was soon alleviated.

Anti-IL5 Monoclonal Antibodies Reduce Asthma Exacerbations and Corticosteroids Dose in Three Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis Case Reports.

Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (EGPA) is a rare multisystem necrotizing small and medium-sized vessel vasculitis with eosinophilic adult-onset asthma as part of its spectrum. Therapeutic choices include corticosteroids, immunosuppressive agents, and novel immunomodulators. Mepolizumab and benralizumab are monoclonal antibodies targeting Interleukin-5 (IL-5), which plays a leading role in every stage of production and maturation of eosinophils and are recently undergoing evaluation and administered in steroid-dependent, relapsing and/or refractory EGPA. Herein we describe the cases of three patients with a prior EGPA diagnosis, experiencing frequent asthmatic exacerbations despite oral and inhaled corticosteroid treatment (two patients) and adverse effects of corticosteroids (one patient). Two patients are under treatment with mepolizumab and one patient with benralizumab as an add-on supplemental regimen. In our case series anti-IL5 monoclonal antibodies proved efficient asthma-controlling and corticosteroid-sparing agents.

Tigecycline Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Profile in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbation.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate the pharmacokinetic profile of tigecycline in plasma and its penetration to sputum in moderately ill patients with an infectious acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: Eleven patients hospitalized with acute respiratory failure due to an acute COPD exacerbation with clinical evidence of an infectious cause received tigecycline 50 mg twice daily after an initial loading dose of 100 mg. Blood and sputum samples were collected at steady state after dose seven. RESULTS: In plasma, mean Cmax pl was 975.95 ± 490.36 ng/mL and mean Cmin pl was 214.48 ±140.62 ng/mL. In sputum, mean Cmax sp was 641.91 ± 253.07 ng/mL and mean Cmin sp was 308.06 ± 61.7 ng/mL. In plasma, mean AUC 0-12 pl was 3765.89 ± 1862.23 ng*h/mL, while in sputum mean AUC 0-12 sp was 4023.27 ± 793.37 ng*h/mL. The mean penetration ratio for the 10/11 patients was 1.65 ± 1.35. The mean Free AUC0-24 pl/MIC ratio for Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae was 25.10 ± 12.42 and 6.02 ± 2.97, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the clinical effectiveness of tigecycline against commonly causative bacteria in COPD exacerbations and highlight its sufficient lung penetration in pulmonary infections of moderate severity.

Reduction/elimination of blood eosinophils in severe asthma: should there be a safety consideration?

INTRODUCTION: Eosinophils play a central role in the inflammation of asthma and are the target of new biologic treatments for patients with severe asthma. Biologics targeting the IL-5 pathway have been shown to reduce asthma exacerbations, improve lung function, reduce oral corticosteroid use, and improve quality of life, accompanied by reduced or even eliminated blood eosinophils. Eosinophils have been associated with host protection and tumor growth, raising potential concerns about the consequences of these long-term therapies that reduce or eliminate them. AREAS COVERED: In this review, we explore the current safety profile of biologics regarding the impact they may have on blood eosinophils, trying to answer the question about any safety consideration. EXPERT OPINION: Eosinophils have been associated with host protection and tumor growth, raising potential concerns about the consequences of long-term therapies that reduce or eliminate these blood cells.

18F-FDG PET/CT contribution to tuberculous vertebral osteomyelitis diagnosis: a case report.

Tuberculous vertebral osteomyelitis (TVO) is an extrapulmonary tuberculosis form characterized by difficulty and delay in diagnosis. PET/CT is a valuable, well-established tool in the diagnostic workup of cancer and fever of unknown origin, which is increasingly appreciated in the management of infectious diseases. We report a TVO case where PET/CT had a valuable contribution towards diagnosis and monitoring of treatment response, highlighting its advantages and future perspectives when dealing with infectious diseases.

A Moving Pleural Mass / Una masa pleural móvil

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Immunomodulatory effect of macrolides: At what cost?

We present the case of a 60-year old female patient, with a 10 year history of non-CF bronchiectasis and use of macrolides as maintenance immunomodulatory treatment, who was diagnosed with macrolide-resistant Mycobacterium avium complex lung disease. Macrolides' immunomodulatory effect is appealing for non- CF bronchiectasis patients, hiding a high risk for resistance emergence.

Pneumomediastinum.

Pneumomediastinum is a condition in which air is present in the mediastinum. This condition can result from physical trauma or other situations that lead to air escaping from the lungs, airways or bowel into the chest cavity. Pneumomediastinum is a rare situation and occurs when air leaks into the mediastinum. The diagnosis can be confirmed via chest X-ray or CT scanning of the thorax. The main symptom is usually severe central chest pain. Other symptoms include laboured breathing, voice distortion (as with helium) and subcutaneous emphysema, specifically affecting the face, neck, and chest. Pneumomediastinum can also be characterized by the shortness of breath that is typical of a respiratory system problem. It is often recognized on auscultation by a "crunching" sound timed with the cardiac cycle (Hamman's crunch). Pnemomediastinum may also present with symptoms mimicking cardiac tamponade as a result of the increased intrapulmonary pressure on venous flow to the heart. The tissues in the mediastinum will slowly resorb the air in the cavity so most pneumomediastinums are treated conservatively.

Open thoracotomy for pneumothorax.

A thoracotomy is an incision into the pleural space of the chest. It is performed by surgeons (or emergency physicians under certain circumstances) to gain access to the thoracic organs, most commonly the heart, the lungs, or the esophagus, or for access to the thoracic aorta or the anterior spine. This surgical procedure is a major surgical maneuver it is the first step in many thoracic surgeries including lobectomy or pneumonectomy for lung cancer and as such requires general anesthesia with endotracheal tube insertion and mechanical ventilation, rigid bronchoscope can be also used if necessary. Thoracotomies are thought to be one of the most difficult surgical incisions to deal with post-operatively, because they are extremely painful and the pain can prevent the patient from breathing effectively, leading to atelectasis or pneumonia. In the current review we will present the steps of this procedure.

The role of second-line chemotherapy in small cell lung cancer: a retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the benefit of second-line chemotherapy with platinum-based treatment in patients with recurrent small cell lung cancer (SCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 535 patients continued with follow-up or best supportive care if needed, and 229 patients who progressed after the completion of first-line chemotherapy were treated with second-line chemotherapy at the time of progression. In total, 103/229 patients received paclitaxel 190 mg/m(2) and carboplatin 5.5 area under the curve while 126/229 patients received etoposide 200 mg/m(2) and carboplatin 5.5 area under the curve every 28 days. RESULTS: Patients administered second-line chemotherapy lived significantly longer, with a median survival of 422 days compared to 228 days in patients with best supportive care alone (P<0.001). Patients who received paclitaxel as second-line chemotherapy lived for an average of 462 days (95% confidence interval: 409-514), versus 405 days in the etoposide group (95% confidence interval: 371-438), which was not statistically significant (P=0.086). The overall response rate was 8% for the paclitaxel group and 6% for the etoposide group. Patients with progression of the disease in more than 3 months had significantly better survival compared with those that progressed in less than 3 months (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Continuation with carboplatin/paclitaxel or carboplatin/etoposide as second-line chemotherapy has no significant survival impact, and it did not improve response rates.