The role of routine pulmonary imaging before hyperbaric oxygen treatment.

Respiratory injury during or following hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) is rare, but associated pressure changes can cause iatrogenic pulmonary barotrauma with potentially severe sequelae such as pneumothoraces. Pulmonary blebs, bullae, and other emphysematous airspace abnormalities increase the risk of respiratory complications and are prevalent in otherwise healthy adults. HBOT providers may elect to use chest X-ray routinely as a pre-treatment screening tool to identify these anomalies, particularly if a history of preceding pulmonary disease is identified, but this approach has a low sensitivity and frequently provides false negative results. Computed tomography scans offer greater sensitivity for airspace lesions, but given the high prevalence of incidental and insignificant pulmonary findings among healthy individuals, would lead to a high false positive rate because most lesions are unlikely to pose a hazard during HBOT. Post-mortem and imaging studies of airspace lesion prevalence show that a significant proportion of patients who undergo HBOT likely have pulmonary abnormalities such as blebs and bullae. Nevertheless, pulmonary barotrauma is rare, and occurs mainly in those with known underlying lung pathology. Consequently, routinely using chest X-ray or computed tomography scans as screening tools prior to HBOT for low-risk patients without a pertinent medical history or lack of clinical symptoms of cardiorespiratory disease is of low value. This review outlines published cases of patients experiencing pulmonary barotrauma while undergoing pressurised treatment/testing in a hyperbaric chamber and analyses the relationship between barotrauma and pulmonary findings on imaging prior to or following exposure. A checklist and clinical decision-making tool based on suggested low-risk and high-risk features are offered to guide the use of targeted baseline thoracic imaging prior to HBOT.

Hemosiderosis pulmonar idiopática: seguimiento de pacientes durante 25 años (1995-2019) / Idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis: follow-up of patients for 25 years (1995-2019)

La hemosiderosis pulmonar idiopática (HPI) es una causa de hemorragia alveolar difusa. OBJETIVO: describir la evolución de niños con HPI en nuestra institución. Se realizó una revisión retrospectiva con protocolo de seguimiento. Se reclutaron 13 pacientes, 7 hombres. Procedentes de una zona agrícola (6/13). No todos presentaron la tríada diagnóstica completa: infiltrados algodonosos (9/13), anemia (11/13), hemoptisis (9/13). Todos evidenciaron un recuento de hemosiderófagos sobre 30% en el lavado broncoalveolar. Tomografía computada de tórax: normal (5/13), patrón intersticial (5/13), vidrio esmerilado (2/13) y fibrosis (1/13). Espirometría: normal (7/13), restrictiva (4/13), obstructiva (1/13) y no efectuada (1/13). Tratamiento durante la fase aguda: bolos de metilprednisolona (7/13) o prednisona (6/13) o hidrocortisona (1/13). En la fase de mantención se administró: prednisona (13/13) más un inmunosupresor, azathioprina (12/13), hidroxicloroquina (1/13), micofenolato (1/13), más budesonida MDI (13/13). Ocho pacientes detuvieron los sangrados. Dos pacientes fallecieron y hubo cinco embarazos de curso fisiológico en 3 adolescentes. Se observó: a) diferentes modalidades de presentación que retrasaron el diagnóstico; b) gran exposición a pesticidas; c) mejor pronóstico si el diagnóstico y el tratamiento eran precoces, también en niñas adolescentes; d) la mayoría detuvo los episodios de sangrado.

Idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis (IPH) is a cause of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. OBJECTIVE: to describe the evolution of children with IPH in our institution. Retrospective monitoring with a follow-up protocol was carried out. 13 patients, seven males, were recruited. From an agricultural area (6/13). Not all of patients had the complete diagnostic triad: cotton infiltrates (9/13), anemia (11/13), hemoptysis (9/13). Hemosiderin-laden macrophages counting in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was over 30% in all the patients. Computed chest tomography was informed as normal (5/13), interstitial pattern (5/13), ground glass (2/13) and fibrosis (1/13). Spirometry: normal (7/13), restrictive (4/13), obstructive (1/13) and not performed (1/13). Treatment during the acute phase: bolus of methylprednisolone (7/13) or prednisone (6/13) or hydrocortisone (1/13). In the maintenance phase: prednisone (13/13) plus an immunosuppressant, azathioprine (12/13), hydroxychloroquine (1/13), mycophenolate (1/13), plus budesonide MDI (13/13). Eight patients stopped the bleeding episodes. Two patients died and there were five physiological pregnancies in 3 adolescents. It was observed:(a) different modes of IPH presentation that delayed its diagnosis; (b) large exposure to pesticides; (c) prognosis improved if diagnosis and treatment were early, also in adolescent girls; (d) most of the patients stopped the bleeding episodes.

Pediatric pulmonary lymphatic flow Disorders: Diagnosis and management.

Pulmonary lymphatic flow disorders involve the abnormal lymphatic flow via lymphatic channels to the lungs and pleural space. Plastic bronchitis and chylothorax are the main complications of this abnormal lymphatic perfusion, which has been termed pulmonary lymphatic perfusion syndrome (PLPS). Following lymphatic access, dynamic contrast MR lymphangiography is the imaging modality of choice to diagnose these disorders. Management includes medical therapy, percutaneous interventions under fluoroscopy, and surgical interventions.

Ventilation/Perfusion SPECT Imaging-Diagnosing Other Cardiopulmonary Diseases Beyond Pulmonary Embolism.

Ventilation/perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography (V/P SPECT) is the scintigraphic technique recommended primarily for the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism (PE) and is golden standard for the diagnosis of chronic PE. Furthermore, interpreting ventilation and corresponding perfusion images enables pattern recognition of many other cardiopulmonary disorders that affect lung function and also allows quantification of their extent. Using Technegas for the ventilation imaging, grading of small airway disease in COPD is possible and the method is recommended for PE diagnosis in patients with severe COPD that is not possible with radiolabelled liquid aerosols. An optimal combination of nuclide activities, acquisition times for ventilation and perfusion, collimators, and imaging matrix yields an adequate V/P SPECT study in approximately 20 minutes of imaging time. The holistic interpretation strategy of V/P SPECT uses all relevant information about the patient and ventilation/perfusion patterns. PE is diagnosed when there is more than one subsegment showing a V/P mismatch representing an anatomic lung unit. Apart from PE, other pathologies should be identified and reported, such as obstructive lung disease, heart failure, and pneumonia according to the European Association of Nuclear Medicine guidelines.

Treatment of Mycobacterium avium Complex (MAC).

Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) is the most commonly isolated nontuberculous mycobacterial respiratory pathogen worldwide. MAC lung disease is manifested either by fibrocavitary radiographic changes similar to pulmonary tuberculosis or by bronchiectasis with nodular and reticulonodular radiographic changes. This latter form of MAC lung disease, termed "nodular bronchiectatic (NB) MAC lung disease" is the most common form of MAC lung disease in the United States. Treatment at the time of diagnosis is always indicated for fibrocavitary MAC lung disease because it is always progressive and associated with increased morbidity and mortality compared with NB MAC lung disease. In contrast, the NB form of MAC lung disease is more indolent and frequently does not require antimycobacterial therapy. For patients with NB MAC lung disease, the priorities are typically to treat the underlying bronchiectasis and determine the course and impact of the MAC infection over time. Guidelines-based MAC therapy with multidrug regimens including macrolides is usually effective, but far from as predictably effective and durable as therapy for tuberculosis. It is imperative that clinicians are familiar with MAC drug resistance mechanisms and the pitfalls of inappropriate dependence on in vitro drug susceptibility testing which can predispose patients to the development of macrolide resistance with its attendant high mortality. It is now more than 20 years since the emergence of macrolides for MAC therapy with no new comparably effective agents introduced in that time, although one new inhaled amikacin therapy under study offers promise.

[Effect of Breathing Exercise Using Panflutes on the Postoperative Compliance, Pulmonary Infections and Life Satisfaction in Elderly Patients Undergoing Spinal Surgery].

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of breathing exercises performed using panflutes in elderly patients undergoing spinal surgery. METHODS: The study design was a nonequivalent control group non-synchronized pre-post test. The study included 24 patients in both the experimental group and the control group. The experimental group completed a daily breathing exercise regimen using panflutes for 30minutes after meals, whereas the control group was provided standard preoperative education, including breathing exercises using incentive spirometers. After the exercise regimen, breathing exercise compliance, pulmonary infections, and life satisfaction were measured in both groups, and the data were analyzed using the SPSS/WIN program. RESULTS: The compliance rate of breathing exercises was significantly higher in the experimental group. The experimental group presented no pulmonary infections in the later period, whereas the control group presented higher pulmonary infection rates in the same period. In addition, the life satisfaction score in the experimental group significantly increased. CONCLUSION: The breathing exercise program using panflutes for elderly patients undergoing spinal surgery enhanced their breathing exercise compliance and their daily life satisfaction in addition to reducing their pulmonary infection rates.

Pulmonary Alveolar Microlithiasis.

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM) is a genetic lung disorder that is characterized by the accumulation of calcium phosphate deposits in the alveolar spaces of the lung. Mutations in the type II sodium phosphate cotransporter, NPT2b, have been reported in patients with PAM. PAM progresses gradually, often producing incremental dyspnea on exertion, desaturation in young adulthood, and respiratory insufficiency by late middle age. Treatment remains supportive, including supplemental oxygen therapy. For patients with end-stage disease, lung transplantation is available as a last resort. The recent development of a laboratory animal model has revealed several promising treatment approaches for future trials.

Surgical Outcomes in a Large, Clinical, Low-Dose Computed Tomographic Lung Cancer Screening Program.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography is proven to reduce lung cancer mortality among high-risk patients. However, critics raise concern over the potential for unnecessary surgical procedures performed for benign disease as a result of screening. We reviewed our outcomes in a large clinical lung cancer screening program to assess the number of surgical procedures done for benign disease, as we believe this is an important quality metric. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our surgical outcomes of consecutive patients who underwent low-dose computed tomography lung cancer screening from January 2012 through June 2014 using a prospectively collected database. All patients met the National Comprehensive Cancer Network lung cancer screening guidelines high-risk criteria. RESULTS: There were 1,654 screened patients during the study interval with clinical follow-up at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center. Twenty-five of the 1,654 (1.5%) had surgery. Five of 25 had non-lung cancer diagnoses: 2 hamartomas, 2 necrotizing granulomas, and 1 breast cancer metastasis. The incidence of surgery for non-lung cancer diagnosis was 0.30% (5 of 1,654), and the incidence of surgery for benign disease was 0.24% (4 of 1,654). Twenty of 25 had lung cancer, 18 early stage and 2 late stage. There were no surgery-related deaths, and there was 1 major surgical complication (4%) at 30 days. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of surgical intervention for non-lung cancer diagnosis was low (0.30%) and is comparable to the rate reported in the National Lung Screening Trial (0.62%). Surgical intervention for benign disease was rare (0.24%) in our experience.

Unexplained alveolar hemorrhage associated with Ginkgo and ginseng use.

The author presents a case of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage in a woman consuming Ginkgo biloba extract and ginseng. The patient had no illnesses or exposures that would predispose to diffuse alveolar hemorrhage, and an extensive evaluation revealed no etiology. The patient has had no further bleeding since discontinuing Ginkgo biloba extract and ginseng 1 year ago.

Medical imaging in occupational and environmental lung disease.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to provide an up-to-date summary of developments in medical imaging in the diagnosis, surveillance, treatment, and screening of occupational and environmental lung diseases, focusing on articles published within the past 2 years. RECENT FINDINGS: Many new exposures resulting in lung disease have been described worldwide; medical imaging, particularly computed tomography (CT), is often pivotal in recognition and characterization of these new patterns of lung injury. Chest radiography remains important to surveillance studies tracking the long-term evolution of disease and effectiveness of air quality regulation. Finally, studies are proving the utility of screening with low-dose CT, and technical advances offer the prospect of further CT dose reduction with ultra-low-dose CT. SUMMARY: In understanding the best practices and new developments in medical imaging, the occupational and environmental medicine clinician can optimize diagnosis and management of related lung diseases.

Treatment of congenital pulmonary lymphangiectasia using ethiodized oil lymphangiography.

Historically, congenital pulmonary lymphangiectasia (CPL) has had poor treatment outcomes despite aggressive therapy. There are recent reports of ethiodized oil (Lipiodol) lymphangiography successfully treating lymphatic leakage in adults. In this report, we describe two infants with CPL complicated by chylothoraces successfully treated by instillation of ethiodized oil into the lymphatic system. Congenital atresia of the thoracic duct was demonstrated on the lymphangiogram in both patients before treatment. Both patients have shown good short-term outcomes without supplemental oxygen or fat restricted diets at 9 months of age. Ethiodized oil lymphangiography represents a new treatment modality for some patients with CPL.

[Pyoderma gangrenosum with lung involvement treated with infliximab]. / Pyoderma gangrenosum avec localisations pulmonaires traité par infliximab.

BACKGROUND: Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare neutrophilic dermatosis often associated with systemic diseases, particularly chronic inflammatory bowel diseases. Extracutaneous manifestations (articular, ocular, renal, pulmonary, hepatosplenic, muscular) exist, with lung involvement being the most common. PATIENT AND METHODS: We report a case of PG with skin and lung involvements in a patient treated with high-dose corticosteroids in a setting of severe ulcerative colitis (UC). Lung involvement was diagnosed during the pretreatment assessment performed prior to initiation of anti-TNFα therapy. Infliximab resulted in rapid improvement of the lung and skin lesions. DISCUSSION: In the event of simultaneous cutaneous PG lesions and lung lesions suggestive of abscess, visceral involvement should be suspected. First-line treatment consists of oral corticosteroids. In our patient, the occurrence of lesions under corticosteroids in UC militated in favour of anti-TNFα therapy, which proved effective.

Cerebral arterial gas embolism with delayed treatment and a fatal outcome in a 14-year-old diver.

In today's recreational diving climate, diving fitness examinations are not mandatory, and even divers who go for these examinations may not have routine chest X-rays (CXR) done in the absence of respiratory symptoms or a past history of respiratory problems. We present a case of an ultimately fatal cerebral arterial gas embolism in a 14-year-old boy with an undiagnosed lung cyst, the contribution of which to his death is uncertain. Various factors such as lack of oxygen first aid at the remote dive site; poor communication; lack of diving medicine expertise, poor oxygen administration and management in a local hospital and long delay to recompression therapy contributed to the poor outcome. It is imperative that dive operators and physicians working in close proximity to popular dive sites be educated on how to recognise and treat diving emergencies and be well-acquainted, as should divers, with the contact numbers of diving medical hotlines that offer timely and appropriate advice in case of emergency.

Shrinking lung syndrome in pregnancy complicated by antiphospholipid antibody syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Shrinking lung syndrome is characterized by pulmonary compromise secondary to unilateral or bilateral paralysis of the diaphragm. CASE: Shrinking lung syndrome was diagnosed in a patient with antiphospholipid syndrome after a cesarean delivery at 28 4/7 weeks of gestation. Signs and symptoms included unexplained right-side chest pain, dyspnea, tachypnea, and absent breath sounds at the right base of the lungs. After initiation of corticosteroids, her symptoms resolved. CONCLUSION: Although seen in association with systemic lupus erythematosus, shrinking lung syndrome has not been described with antiphospholipid syndrome or during pregnancy. Diagnosis and awareness are important because treatment with moderate- to high-dose corticosteroids appears to improve the clinical outcome.

Relationship between clinical efficacy of treatment of pulmonary Mycobacterium avium complex disease and drug-sensitivity testing of Mycobacterium avium complex isolates.

We prospectively investigated the relationship between the clinical efficacy of treatment of pulmonary Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease and drug-sensitivity testing of MAC isolates for antituberculous drugs, new quinolone antibiotics, and clarithromycin (CAM). Fifty-two patients who satisfied the diagnostic criteria of the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and who received treatment between April 1998 and December 2005, using combined therapy of rifampicin (RFP), ethambutol (EB), streptomycin (SM), and CAM, were enrolled in this study. The causative microorganisms isolated were Mycobacterium avium in 30 patients and M. intracellulare in 22 patients. Although separation of the two strains showed drug sensitivity testing to have slightly better minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) for M. intracellulare than for M. avium, there were no significant differences in the sputum eradication rate or clinical improvement between the two strains. The MICs of various antibiotics for the isolated MAC strains were as follows: RFP, 0.125-8 microg/ml; CAM, 0.25-16 microg/ml; SM, 2-128< or =microg/ml; EB, 128< or = microg/ml; levofloxacin (LVFX), 1-32 microg/ml; sparfloxacin (SPFX), 0.5-16 microg/ml; and gatifloxacin (GFLX), 0.25-8 microg/ml. The isolated MAC strains showed the same excellent drug sensitivity test results for RFP, new quinolones, and CAM, but they showed resistant drug-sensitivity results for EB and SM. Regarding the relationship between clinical efficacy and the MICs of RFP, EB, CAM, and SM, there was a good relationship only for CAM. Although the ATS has not yet recommended routine drug susceptibility testing of CAM, we believe that drug susceptibility testing of CAM should be performed before the initial treatment is undertaken for pulmonary MAC disease.

Low-voltage digital selenium radiography: detection of simulated interstitial lung disease, nodules, and catheters--a phantom study.

PURPOSE: To compare three tube voltages in digital selenium radiography for the detection of simulated interstitial lung disease, nodules, and catheters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Simulated catheters, nodules, and ground-glass, linear, miliary, and reticular patterns were superimposed over an anthropomorphic chest phantom. Digital selenium radiography was performed with different tube voltages (70, 90, and 150 kVp). Hard-copy images were generated. Detection performance of five radiologists was compared by using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis involving 54,000 observations. RESULTS: The detection of ground-glass, linear, miliary, and reticular patterns over lucent lung and of nodules equal to, smaller than, and larger than 10 mm increased when 70 kVp and/or 90 kVp was used. However, only the reticular pattern was significantly better detected at lower peak voltage (P <.05). Simulated catheters and nodules over the mediastinum showed smaller areas under the ROC curve at lower peak voltage. These results were not statistically significant (P >.05). CONCLUSION: The diagnostic performance of digital selenium radiography at lower peak voltage is at least as good as that at higher peak voltage for interstitial lung disease over lucent lung. Performance is equivalent for nodules and catheters over obscured chest regions at lower peak voltages compared with that at 150 kVp. Our results implicate that the use of high-voltage technique in digital selenium radiography should be reassessed.