ABSTRACT
Infection and cancer are two classical complications of bullous emphysema. We report the case of a 47-year-old patient who presented a tuberculous infection then cancer within less than one year interval. The questions concerning diagnosis of infection are discussed. Pyogenic germs are usually involved and tuberculosis much less often. Exceptionally atypical mycobacteria, notably xenopi, are rarely the cause. The diagnosis can be particularly difficult in case of haemorrhage or cancer on bullae. The diagnosis of cancer in bullous emphysema is also studied. The relationships between tuberculosis and cancer in bullous emphysema are discussed.
Subject(s)
Adenocarcinoma/etiology , Lung Neoplasms/etiology , Pulmonary Emphysema/complications , Tuberculosis, Pulmonary/etiology , Adenocarcinoma/diagnosis , Humans , Lung Neoplasms/diagnosis , Male , Middle Aged , Tuberculosis, Pulmonary/diagnosisABSTRACT
The study of biological process evolution in small animals requires time-consuming and expansive analyses of a large population of animals. Serial analyses of the same animal is potentially a great alternative. However non-invasive procedures must be set up, to retrieve valuable tissue samples from precisely defined areas in living animals. Taking advantage of the high resolution level of in vivo molecular imaging, we defined a procedure to perform image-guided needle insertion and automated biopsy using a micro CT-scan, a robot and a vision system. Workspace limitations in the scanner require the animal to be removed and laid in front of the robot. A vision system composed of a grid projector and a camera is used to register the designed animal-bed with to respect to the robot and to calibrate automatically the needle position and orientation. Automated biopsy is then synchronised with respiration and performed with a pneumatic translation device, at high velocity, to minimize organ deformation. We have experimentally tested our biopsy system with different needles.