[A rare carcinoma metastasizing to the lung: Sertoli-leydig cell tumor]. / Akcigere metastaz yapan nadir bir karsinom: Sertoli-leydig hücreli tümör.

The lung is the most common site of metastasis for many malignancies. Especially the gastrointestinal system, gynecological malignancies and osteosarcomas frequently metastasize to the lung. It accounts for less than 0.5% of all ovarian neoplasms. The frequency of recurrence and metastasis is less than 5%. In most cases, they are stage I tumors, limited to the ovary and carry a good prognosis. Here, while investigating the nodules in the lung that were detected incidentally at the age of 64, the rare Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor of the lung is discussed clinically, radiologically and pathologically in the presence of a 64-year-old patient who was found to have undergone ovarian surgery 9 years ago. Since imaging methods and tumor markers did not yield significant results in terms of primary malignancy, wedge resection was performed from the left lung nodules. The histology of the lung nodule was the same as the poorly differentiated foci of the ovarian tumor. The immunohistochemical profiles of the two tumors were also similar. As a result of the evaluation of the patient's old materials belonging to the ovary and the samples taken from the lung together; The diagnosis was reached by obtaining similar results with the primary tumor in the immunohistochemical examination performed for the metastatic focus. Sex cord stromal tumors of the ovary, which rarely cause lung metastasis and have a tendency to recur and metastasis in a very long time after the first diagnosis, should also be kept in mind in the elderly woman and the patient with a gynecological history.

Relationship between 18F-FDG PET/CT radiometabolic markers and EGFR mutation, positive ALK Expression in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the presence of EGFR mutations, ALK rearrangement and the standardized uptake value (SUV) of 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-glucose (18F-FDG) by PET/CT imaging in patients with NSCLC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed NSCLC patients, who underwent EGFR mutation, ALK rearrangement testing and pre-treatment PET/ CT. The relationships of EGFR mutation, ALK rearrangement with patient characteristics and three parameters based on 18F-FDG PET/CT, including the maximal standard uptake value (SUVmax) of the primary tumour (tSUVmax), lymph node (nSUVmax) and distant metastasis (mSUVmax) were evaluated. RESULT: EGFR mutations were found more frequently in females and nonsmokers. tSUVmax was the only PET parameter that was lower in EGFRpositive patients than in EGFR-negative patients (8.7 vs. 11), with a p value of 0.032. There were no differences between nSUVmax and mSUVmax results and EGFR mutation. tSUVmax, nSUVmax and mSUVmax were not significantly different between ALK positive and ALK negative groups in NSCLC. The presence of pleural fluid at the time of diagnosis was significantly associated with positive ALK expression. CONCLUSIONS: We showed that low tSUVmax and primary tumour diameter were associated with mutant EGFR status and could be evaluated with other clinical factors to increase the discrimination in EGFR mutation status in some NSCLC patients without EGFR testing. There is a correlation between ALK positivity and the presence of pleural fluid. We also noted that the ALK positivity might be only in the adenocarcinoma group and at a younger age.

Pneumomediastinum as a complication of COVID-19 disease: A case report.

As the COVID-19 pandemic progresses, awareness of uncommon presentations of the disease increases. Such is the case with pneumomediastinum. Recent evidence has suggested that these can occur in the context of COVID19 pneumonia, even in the absence of mechanical ventilation-related barotrauma. We present a patient with COVID-19 pneumonia complicated by pneumomediastinum.

Can LENT Prognostic score (LDH, ECOG performance score, blood neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, tumor type) change the clinical approach in malignant pleural effusion?

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive power of LENT (LDH in pleural fluid, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group [ECOG] performance status, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in the serum, and tumor type) score which is a current prognostic score in patients with MPE and to determine its effect on survival and its status in clinical decision making. In addition, it was aimed to compare LENT score with the conventional but subjective score ECOG. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted reviewing the medical records of patients managed for MPE (malign pleural effusion) between 2008 and 2018. LENT prognostic score was calculated in the patients. The ECOG score calculated for the same patients was compared in terms of mortality. RESULT: A total of 191 patients with malignant pleural effusion, 118 males (61.7%) and 73 females (38.2%), were included in the study. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) for identifying overall survival were 69.8 %, 100%, 100% and 18.8%, respectively at the LENT score > 4 (p= 0.000). At ECOG PS >2, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV were as the same as the LENT score >4 for identifying overall survival. In all patients, overall median survival according to the LENT score was 662/119/33 days in low/moderate/high risk groups, respectively. Cox regression analysis indicated that having a moderate LENT score (p= 0.004, OR: 2.21, CI: 1.29 -3.78%) and high LENT score (p= 0.000, OR: 4, 50 CI: 2.57-7.89%) were predictors for overall survival in all patients due to MPE. In ROC analysis, there was no difference in mortality in erms of both LENT and ECOG at 1st, 6th and 12th months. CONCLUSIONS: LENT is a better scoring system than ECOG in predicting early mortality, while both ECOG and LENT have almost the same power in predicting mortality. However, LENT is slightly more objective but more difficult to calculate because it contains laboratory findings. Thus, both scoring systems can be used to predict mortality in patients with malignant pleural effusions. Neither of them has superiority to each other.

Comparison of the diagnostic efficacy and complications of transbronchial biopsy in elderly and young patients.

INTRODUCTION: Among bronchoscopic procedures, transbronchial biopsy (TBB) is considered a high-risk procedure. In this study, we aimed to investigate the indications, diagnostic efficacy and complications of TBB in the elderly, which is accepted as a sensitive group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was designed as a multicenter retrospective observational study. Data of 4226 patients who underwent diagnostic bronchoscopy were scanned for this study. 791 patients who underwent transbronchial biopsy were included in this study. All patients were evaluated in terms of lung regions, diagnosis, and complications. RESULT: A total of 791 patients, 329 (41.6%) female patients, who underwent TBB were included in the study. Mean age of the patients was 54.54 ± 14.94 years. The most common indications were ILD (45.6%), malignancy (24.0%) and sarcoidosis (9.9%). Mean age of the elderly patients (n= 263) was 69.89 ± 4.83 years, and mean age of the young patients (n= 528) was 46.90 ± 11.28 years (p<0.001). In both age groups, the most common indication was ILD. Complications developed during and after the procedure in 51 of the young patients (9.7%) and in 21 of the elderly (8.0%) (p= 0.441). The most common complication was pneumothorax with 4.6% in the elderly, and pneumothorax with 5.9% in the young (p= 0.441). The most common diagnosis was malignancy (12.2%) in the elderly, as the most common diagnosis was malignancy (7.2%) in the young (p = 0.020). While anthracosis, ILD and organized pneumonia were the other common diagnoses in the elderly, sarcoidosis, anthracosis and organized pneumonia were the other common diagnoses in the young. The diagnosis of sarcoidosis was achieved more frequently in the young (6.6%) than in the elderly (0.8%) (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Transbronchial biopsy can be performed safely in elderly patients, with similar diagnostic success and complication rates to younger patients.

Clinical presentation of health care workers with symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 at the Izmir tertiary education hospital, during an early phase of the pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to investigate and report on the data regarding the clinical characteristics and outcomes of healthcare workers with COVID-19 at tertiary education hospitals from Turkey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a single center, retrospective, descriptive and observational study using cross-sectional data, which were collected from confirmed COVID-19 patients at a tertiary education hospital. Patients' demographic and clinical characteristics, mortality rates, and the factors associated with hospitalization were analyzed. RESULT: By May 15, 2020, 480 patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 in our hospital where 49 (10.2%) of whom were HCWs. The mean age was 40.0 ± 8.45 (75.5% female). The most common symptoms were cough (32.7%), fever (30.6%), and myalgia (14.3%). Comorbidities were present in 32.7% of the patients. Most of the HCWs were nurses (53.1%) and physicians (18.4%), and the remaining 14 (28.6%) were cleaning and administrative staff. The severity of the disease was mild in 65.3% and severe in 34.7% HCWs. Leukocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte and platelet values were statistically lower in hospitalized patients. There was a statistically significant relationship between the presence of infiltration on the chest X-ray, and the patient's symptoms with the severity of the disease (respectively p= 0.002 and 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the frequency of COVID-19 in healthcare workers is high. The study presents the characteristics of HCWs infected with coronavirus from a single center in Turkey.

Predictors of mortality in cancer patients who need intensive care unit support: a two center cohort study

Background/aim: Cancer patients frequently need intensive care support due to respiratory failure. We aimed to evaluate the predictors of mortality in cancer patients who were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Materials and methods: This study was performed in the ICUs of two centers between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2015. Demographic data, cancer type, causes of respiratory failure, comorbidities, APACHE II scores, treatments, and mortality rates were recorded. Results: A total number of 583 cancer patients (477 males) were enrolled from the two centers. Of those, 472 patients had lung cancer (81%), while 111 had extrapulmonary malignancies (19%), having similar mortality rates. Causes of respiratory failure were mostly invasion of the cancer itself in 84% of cases and due to infection in 12%. ICU mortality rate was 53% and the 1-year mortality rate was 80%. APACHE II scores were significantly higher in nonsurvivors (P < 0.001). One-year survival was found to be significantly shorter in females than males (9 days vs. 12 days) in patients with lung cancer. Conclusion: Mortality rates of cancer patients who need ICU support are higher than overall ICU mortality. High APACHE II scores and female sex seem to be related to mortality in these patients.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TUBERCULOSIS AND FEMALE HORMONE LEVELS IN POST-MENOPAUSAL WOMEN.

Tuberculosis (TB) is an intracellular infection controlled by T-lymphocyte. After menopause, T-lymphocyte cells counts increase suggesting a possible link between T-lymphocyte cell counts and estrogen and progesterone levels. In this study we compared post-menopausal women with and without TB to determine any differences in estrogen and progesterone levels between the two groups. The study group consisted of 38 post-menapausal women hospitalized for TB at Dr Suat Seren Chest Diseases and Surgery Training and Research Hospital for Tuberculosis, in Izmir, Turkey. The control group consisted of 30 post-menopausal women without TB. Both groups were selected from patients without immunosuppressive diseases or malignancies in whom PPD testing was not contraindicated. The mean progesterone level in the control group was 0.3896 ± 0.2014 ng/ml and in the study group was 0.3607 ± 0.3006 ng/ml (p = 0.638). The mean estrogen level in the control group was 18.9873 ± 6.5332 pg/ml and in the study group was 26.2768 ± 14.3418 pg/ml; the difference was significant (p = 0.007). The body mass index in the study group was significantly (p = 0.034) lower than in the study group. In post-menopausal women, the mean estrogen level was significantly higher in participants with TB than those without TB.

The impact of active and former smoking on the severity of obstructive sleep apnea.

PURPOSE: Although obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) syndrome is a common disorder; the connection between OSA and smoking habits is still controversial. In this study, we investigated whether active smoking and pack × years of smoking have an impact on the severity of the disease regarding the patients with OSA. METHODS: This study included 964 patients referred to the Sleep Disorders Clinic between 01.01.2007 and 01.03.2013 with an overnight polysomnographic diagnosis of OSA. The correlation between smoking habits and polysomnographic parameters has been studied in detail. RESULTS: There were 684 male (79 %) and 280 female (21 %) patients, 367 (50.6 %) of whom never smoked. Of all, 20.7 % of the smokers were current smokers (n = 150) while 28.2 % were former smokers (n = 208). Active smokers had a mean age of 49.53 (SD 10.17) while former smokers and never smokers had a mean age of 51.37 (SD 10.62), 54.2 (SD 11.56), respectively, which was statistically significant (p < 0.0001). There was a significant male predominance in smoking (p < 0.0001). In addition, male patients displayed more severe OSA than female patients. (p = 0.001). Desaturation time during sleep was found to be significantly longer in the group of former smokers in comparison to never smokers (73.84 SD 97.1-52 SD 85.8) (p = 0.005). Besides, as the apnea hypopnea index increased, the mean pack × years rose significantly (p = 0.01). Severe smokers compared to mild smokers had higher AHI, lower NREM 3, higher NREM1-2 stages (p = 0. 017, p = 0.007, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In this study, we found that cigarette smoking was associated with early age disease; heavy smokers had more severe OSA.

[Stigma of tuberculosis scale: validity and reliability]. / Tüberküloz Damgalanma Ölçegi: Geçerliligi ve güvenilirlik.

INTRODUCTION: In many health conditions, stigma is receiving increasing attention. Public stigmatization toward social illness can affect particularly the patients and family memberships to help seeking behavior and treatment. This study, the aim of this study was to investigate the validity and reliability of the Turkish "Stigma of Tuberculosis Scale " which was developed to evaluate of perception of stigma with tuberkulosis patient. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This methodological study was conducted with 150 with tuberculosis disease people who above 18 age and without known psychological and mental disability. In the study, "Stigma of Tuberculosis Scale" was used as data collection tool. During the study, language equivalence, content validity, reliability and construct validity of the scale was performed. The data was assessed by using mean, median, standard deviation, Spearman Correlation, Cronbach Alpha coefficient and confirmatory factor analysis. RESULTS: The mean age of study participants was 45.6 ± 16.1 (20 - 85). years. Spearman correlation coefficient of the scale for test-retest reliability was 0.853 and the Cronbach Alpha coefficient was 0.95. According to fit indexes of confirmatory factor analysis [x2/SD= 481.38/230= 2.09; RMSEA= 0.087; GFI= 0.776; CFI= 0.776; NNFI= 0.875] it was found that one factors were appropriate for the scale. CONCLUSION: The adoption of the translated "Stigma of Tuberculosis Scale"in Turkey is found reliable and valid to evaluate of perception of stigma with tuberkulosis patient.

A case of Churg-Strauss syndrome treated with montelukast.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of Churg-Strauss syndrome who had asthma and allergic rhinitis treated with montelukast. CLINICAL PRESENTATION AND INTERVENTION: A nonsmoking 59-year-old woman presented with fever, hemoptysis and dyspnea. Past medical history included allergic rhinitis and asthma which were diagnosed 18 years ago. The asthma was treated successfully with inhaled salmeterol and beclamethasone. She also received montelukast (10 mg/day) for 3 years. Although her chest X-ray was normal a week earlier, she had widespread bilateral pulmonary infiltrates on admission. She had leukocytosis (12.5 × 10(9)/l) with eosinophilia (15.6%). Her total IgE count was 550 U/ml. Testing for protoplasmic-staining antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies was positive. Bronchoalveolar lavage could not be performed due to bronchospasm and severe hypoxemia; however, mucosal biopsies were obtained, which revealed eosinophil leukocytes in the lumen and walls of small vessels. She was diagnosed to have Churg-Strauss syndrome and had remarkable clinical improvement on day 5 with high-dose of oral prednisolone (50 mg/day). Radiological improvement was detected at the end of the second week. CONCLUSION: This case shows the importance of being aware that leukotriene receptor antagonists could cause Churg-Strauss syndrome, in spite of the uncertainty about its mechanism.

Clinical Differences Between Elderly and Non-elderly Patients with COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: Comorbidity frequency and mortality rates are higher in elderly patients with COVID-19. The disease is also more severe in elderly patients. This study aims to examine the characteristics of the COVID-19 disease, severity, comorbidities, and mortality rates in elderly patients by comparing them with nonelderly patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was designed as a retrospective study. 469 patients who were followed up in outpatient, inpatient, and intensive care units with the diagnosis of COVID-19 between March 11, 2020, and June 01, 2020, were retrospectively included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups who were ≥65 years named as the "elderly group" and <65 years referred to as "nonelderly". Survival data was generated from the death notification system on August 02, 2020. RESULTS: A total of 469 patients including elderly(n=101) and nonelderly(n=368) were included in the study retrospectively. The inci- dence of severe pneumonia(31%/12.6%) and critical illness(16%/5.8%), comorbidity (85%/37.2%) and hospitalization time(8/5 days) were significantly higher in the elderly group(p<0.05). 23 (22.8%) of elderly patients and 27(7.3%) of nonelderly patients died (p=0.000). Mortality was found to be 3.5 times higher than in the non-elderly group. The expected survival time was 145.85 days(CI 95%:133- 158.66) in the elderly patients and 170.36 days(CI 95%:166-174.6) in the nonelderly patients (p<0.000). In ROC analysis, the sensitivity of age was 86%(73.3-94.2), specificity was 66.83%(62.1-71.3), and the cut-off>56 (AUC:0.775; p <0.001) in predicting mortality. CONCLUSION: Mortality is high, comorbidities are more frequent, and the disease is more severe in elderly patients with COVID-19. Age above 56 can be used as a cut-off to predict mortality.

Antibiotic resistance rates and penicillin MIC distribution in patients with streptococcal pneumonia between 2013-2019, and use of antibiotics in clinical practice.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study is to investigate the antibiotic resistance rates and use of antibiotics in patients with streptococcal pneumonia in a reference tertiary care hospital for pulmonary diseases in Izmir, Turkey. METHODS: A total of 1224 cases with streptococcal pneumonia between 2013 and 2019 were included in the study, retrospectively. Drug susceptibility testing for penicillin and other antibiotics were performed according to the recommendations of EUCAST criteria. Clinical data and general characteristics were collected and evaluated for each patient in accordance with the susceptibility testing report. RESULTS: Totally, resistance rates for trimethophrim-sulfamethoxazole, penicillin (oxacillin), erythromycin, tetracycline, clindamycin and levofloxacin resistance were 63.5%, 39.8%, 37.7%, 37.6%, 28.8%, and 4.8%, respectively. Antibiotic resistance was not detected against vancomycin,teicoplanin and linezolid. Multidrug resistance rate was found to be 27.1%. It was observed that there was a statistically significant decrease in trimethophrim-sulfamethoxazole, penicillin (oxacillin), erythromycin, clindamycin and levofloxacin resistance rates by years (p: 0.000, 0.004, 0.000, 0.001, 0.010, respectively). The penicillin MIC distribution was higher at the range of 0.12-2 â€‹µg/mL and there was statistical difference among the ranges of MIC values for the representative years (p:0.033). Among the antibiotics investigated, the most commonly used antibiotic was moxifloxacin. CONCLUSIONS: Trimethophrim-sulfamethoxazole resistance rate has been found higher than other antibiotics. As penicillin MIC values were at the range of 0.12-2 â€‹µg/mL frequently, high doses of penicillin treatment might be required in some patients. It is noteworthy that significant decrease in resistance rates in penicillin, erythromycin, clindamycin and tetracycline could be due to the vaccination programme carried out since 2008 in Turkey. As the empiric use of quinolones is high it would be more appropriate to use it according to the susceptibility testing. It is important to determine the regional antimicrobial susceptibility for Streptococcus pneumoniae to select appropriate empirical antimicrobials in the clinical practice.

Can the Level of CRP in Acute Pulmonary Embolism Determine Early Mortality?

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the prognostic role of C-Reactive Protein (CRP) in acute PE. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two hundred and twenty patients with acute PE were consecutively enrolled and followed for 30 days after discharge. Serum CRP and NT-proBNP were determined. Right ventricular function was evaluated by transthoracic echocardiography. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in age, S-PESI, and CRP levels between the early mortality group and without early mortality group. There was statistically no significant difference between the groups with and without early mortality in terms of gender distribution and whether or not they received thrombolytic therapy for DVT. Pulmonary infarct, pleural fluid, or both have no effect on early mortality. There was no correlation between CRP and pro-BNP, right/left ventricular ratio. The serum CRP levels at diagnosis were significantly higher in patients with PE and with pleural effusion and pulmonary infarct than those in PE patients without pleural effusion and pulmonary infarct (4.75±4.91 ng/mL, 9.67±8.02 ng/mL; p<0.0003). CONCLUSION: High levels of CRP owing to inflammation in pulmonary embolism associated with effusion and infarction reveals why early mortality is significant in this group. CRP may help in the risk stratification of patients with acute PE, especially those with effusion and pulmonary infarction. CRP is an inexpensive and easily applicable biochemical marker, which can be used to predict early mortality.

Value of Cancer Ratio plus and Cancer Ratio Formulation in Distinguishing Malignant Pleural Effusion from Tuberculosis and Parapneumonic Effusion.

Background: The aim of our study is to determine the clinical availability accessibility of cancer ratio and cancer ratio plus formulations, previously validated and reported to have clinical value in distinguishing malignant pleural effusion from tuberculosis pleurisy and parapneumonic effusion. Materials and Methods: Retrospective study of patients hospitalized with Malignant Pleural Effusion (MPE), tuberculosis (TPE) and pararapneumonic effusion (PPE) between 2009 and 2018. Results: Totally 232 patients, 101(43.5 %) having MPE, 86 (37.1 %) having PPE and 45 (19.4 %) TPE were examined. When compared with each other, "serum LDH / PS Lymphocyte %", "Cancer ratio" and "Cancer ratio plus" values were statistically different between the groups (p = 0.021, p <0.001 and p = 0.015, respectively). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, cancer ratio, serum LDH: pleural fluid lymphocyte count ratio was in positive correlation with MPE. The sensitivity and specificity of "cancer ratio", "cancer ratio plus" and "ratio of serum LDH: pleural fluid lymphocyte count" were 84.2 % (95% CI 75.6- 90.7) and 52.7 (95% CI 43.8- 61.5), and 82.2 % (95% CI 73.3- 89.1) and 45.8 (95%CI 37.1- 54.7), 53.5% (95% CI 43.3- 63.5) and 67.2% (95% CI 0.68-0.94) at the cut-off level of >14.25, >28.7, and >636, respectively. When considering only MPE and TPE patients, the specificity of cancer ratio and cancer ratio plus increased. Conclusion: The cancer ratio plus rate (the ratio of "cancer ratio"formulation to the percentage of differential pleural lymphocyte count) was almost the same as the cancer ratio in separating the malignant pleural effusion from the TPE and PPE, while it has better specificity only in differentiating malignant effusions from tuberculosis effusions.

What are the Differences Between Smoker and Non-smoker COPD Cases? Is it a Different Phenotype?

OBJECTIVE: The most important risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is smoking. However, more than 25% of patients do not have a history of smoking. The intent of this study is to identify characteristics of COPD patients that are non-smokers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The records of patients with COPD were retrospectively reviewed. Smoking history, comorbidities, exacerbations, biomass, and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposures were identified. Also, age, gender, pulmonary function test (PFT) values, modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scores were recorded. Non-smokers exposed to any of the COPD risk factors above were grouped and the data were analyzed to determine the specific characteristics of COPD that applied to them. RESULTS: A total of 706 COPD patients were analyzed with a mean age of 67.2 ± 9.4. Of these patients, 93 (13.2%) were female and 613 (86.8%) were male. Of the 706 patients, 128 (18.1%) were non-smokers. The percentage of male patients having COPD was significantly lower in the non-smoker group (P < .001). However, biomass, ETS exposure in childhood, and a history of previous respiratory infection were significantly higher in the non-smoker group (P < .001). The mean body mass index (BMI) was greater in non-smokers than smokers. CONCLUSION: Non-smokers with COPD have more biomass, ETS exposure, and infection history in childhood. They also have less impairment of airflow limitation, better symptom scores, and greater BMIs. Smoking history can be used to determine a different phenotype.

Comparison of typical and atypical computed tomography patterns regarding reversibility and fibrosis in pulmonary sarcoidosis.

PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate whether there is a significant difference between typical and atypical parenchymal patterns in the development of fibrosis, which is the most crucial factor affecting morbidity in pulmonary sarcoidosis. METHODS: In our hospital, 145 cases with Siltzbach Types 2 and 3 sarcoidoses diagnosed by clinical, radiological, and histopathologic were retrospectively investigated. Perilymphatic nodules, accompanying mosaic attenuation, and interlobular septal thickening and central peribronchovascular bunch-like thickening on high-resolution computed tomography were assessed as typical. Solid nodules, galaxy finding, consolidation, ground-glass opacity, isolated mosaic attenuation, and interlobular septal thickening, and pleural fluid were accepted as atypical findings. Findings indicating fibrosis were fine and rough reticular opacity, traction bronchiectasis, volume loss, and cystic changes. For the analysis of variables, SPSS 25.0 program was used. RESULTS: Ten (16%) of the 61 cases with typical findings and 16 (19%) of the 84 with atypical findings developed fibrosis (P = 0.827). The mean age of cases with fibrosis was higher. With the cut-off of 50 years, sensitivity was 61.5%, and specificity was 68.9%. The highest fibrosis rate was in cases with ground glass pattern (n = 7/17), whereas higher reversibility rates were in those with miliary pattern (n = 9/12) and galaxy sign (n = 5/6). CONCLUSION: The incidence of fibrosis is higher in the atypical group with no significant difference. The incidence of fibrosis differs in each atypical pattern, being highest in ground-glass opacity and lowest in the miliary pattern.

Carboplatin and etoposide followed by once-daily thoracic radiotherapy in limited disease small-cell lung cancer: unsatisfactory results.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: There has been a trend to replace cisplatin with carboplatin in the treatment of small-cell lung carcinoma. The goal of the present study was to determine the efficacy of carboplatin and etoposide followed by thoracic radiotherapy in patients with previously untreated limited disease small-cell lung carcinoma. METHODS: From February 2001 to March 2007, 47 patients with limited disease small-cell lung cancer were enrolled in the study. Etoposide, 100 mg/m2, was administrated intravenously on days 1-3 in combination with carboplatin, AUC 6, on day 1 every 21 days for 6 cycles. In cases considered to have non-progressive disease following induction chemotherapy, thoracic radiotherapy was given with in a once daily fraction of 2.0 Gy, 5/wk, up to 50-60 Gy. RESULTS: Forty-one patients were evaluated. Median age was 62 (range, 40-78), 88% of patients were male. ECOG PS was 0-1 in 38 patients. Seven of the 41 patients (17.5%) had pleural effusion (one malignant) and 7 patients (17.5%) had involved supraclavicular lymph nodes. Ninety percent of patients had elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase levels. Median follow-up was 13.5 mo. A total of 209 cycles of chemotherapy was administered (median, 6; range, 1-6). Thoracic irradiation was given to 33 patients. The overall response rate to combined modality on an intention-to-treat basis was 73%. Median survival time was 13.7 months (95% CI, 10.3-17.1), and median progression-free survival was 9.5 months (95% CI, 8.6-10.4). Two- and four-year overall survival was 23% and 7%, respectively. Grade 3-4 neutropenia and leukopenia were the most common adverse events and occurred in 46.0% and 24.0% of the patients, respectively. Six (14%) patients experienced febrile neutropenia. Three patients (7%) died of sepsis and neutropenic fever. Non-hematological toxicities were mild. CONCLUSIONS: Carboplatin and etoposide chemotherapy followed by thoracic radiotherapy in LD-SCLC appears to be unsatisfactory.

Evaluation of clinical data and antibody response following influenza vaccination in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The present study investigated the antibody response against influenza vaccine and also the efficacy of vaccination on clinical findings in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) following influenza vaccination. A total of 82 cases with COPD (44 cases as vaccinated and 38 cases as unvaccinated) were evaluated clinically and 21 healthy volunteers were also included in the study as a control group. Influenza (A and B) Ig M and Ig G parameters were analyzed quantitatively in blood samples of the vaccinated group and healthy volunteers by ELISA method once before vaccination and one month and one year after vaccination. The presence of dyspnoea, increased sputum production and/or purulence were accepted as criteria of acute exacerbation. The number of hospital presentations was significantly lower in the vaccinated group and higher in severe cases with COPD in unvaccinated group. Vaccinated cases in the study group experienced significantly fewer episodes of pneumonia, hospitalization and intensive care. Quantitative influenza (A and B) antibody IgG levels significantly increased in these patients as well. In conclusion, seasonal influenza vaccination with the trivalent influenza split virion vaccine especially in severe or very severe COPD patients who need hospitalization was evaluated as beneficial in clinical use.