Reversible cortical blindness after lung transplantation.

Cyclosporine (CYA) is a calcineurin inhibitor widely used in immunosuppressive regimens after organ transplantation. Several neurologic side effects are frequently associated with CYA use; however, reversible cortical blindness is a rare manifestation of CYA toxicity traditionally seen after liver and bone marrow transplantation. This report presents a case of reversible cortical blindness after lung transplantation, then details the risk factors and clinical course of 28 previously well-documented cases of CYA-induced cortical blindness after transplantation. Identification of known risk factors, clinical clues, and typical radiographic findings may aid in the diagnosis of CYA-induced cortical blindness, since reduction in CYA dose or cessation of CYA therapy usually permits resolution of the neurologic effects.

Quinine-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation: case report and review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical course of quinine-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and review all previous cases reported in the medical literature. DESIGN: Case report/literature review. SETTING: University teaching hospital medical ICU. PATIENTS: One patient in whom thrombocytopenia, coagulopathy, intravascular hemolysis, DIC, and acute renal failure temporally followed the ingestion of quinine. DATA SOURCES: We conducted a computerized free-text MEDLINE database search from 1969 to 2000 using the keywords quinine and thrombocytopenia, quinine and hemolytic-uremic syndrome, and quinine and disseminated intravascular coagulation. STUDY SELECTION: All reported cases and reviews of quinine-induced thrombocytopenia, hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS), and DIC were reviewed. DIC was distinguished from quinine-induced thrombocytopenia or quinine-induced HUS based on the presence of abnormal clotting times, elevated fibrin degradation products, and/or elevated D-dimer levels. DATA SYNTHESIS: Fifteen previous patients were found to meet the criteria for DIC temporally related to the recent ingestion of quinine. The clinical course and laboratory abnormalities documented for each case are reviewed. CONCLUSIONS: Quinine-induced DIC is a distinct clinical entity, which may present as unexplained thrombocytopenia, coagulopathy, or renal failure. In susceptible patients, the immune response to quinine may result in the production of not only anti-platelet antibodies but also antibodies against leukocytes, erythrocytes, and endothelial cells. Furthermore, the varying patterns and specificities of antibody production in an individual patient may result in a spectrum of clinical disease from mild, transient thrombocytopenia to overt intravascular hemolysis, renal failure, coagulopathy, and DIC. Early recognition of quinine-induced DIC is paramount, as this diagnosis affords a better prognosis than other adult forms of HUS or DIC.

Success of lung transplantation without surveillance bronchoscopy.

BACKGROUND: No current evidence demonstrates improved survival or decreased rate of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) despite regularly scheduled fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) with transbronchial biopsy and bronchoalveolar lavage (TBB/BAL) after lung transplantation. Reduced lung function detected with spirometry or oximetry in symptomatic and asymptomatic lung allograft recipients (LARs) may be a more appropriate indication for bronchoscopic sampling. HYPOTHESIS: Clinically indicated TBB/BAL without routine invasive surveillance sampling of the transplanted lung does not decrease survival or increase the rate of BOS in LARs. METHODS: We reviewed 91 consecutive LARs transplanted at Ochsner Clinic between January 1995 and December 1999. Clinical indications for FOB with TBB/BAL include 10% decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 second below baseline; 20% decrease in forced expiratory flow rate between 25% and 75% of the forced vital capacity; or unexplained respiratory symptoms, signs, or fever. Along with demographic and clinical data, 1-year and 3-year survival rates for these 91 LARs were compared with 5,430 LARs from the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) Registry transplanted during the same 60-month period. Ten of the 91 patients did not survive to hospital discharge after transplantation. We divided the remaining 81 LARs into 2 subsets: Group A patients (n = 43) underwent zero to 1 TBB/BAL and Group B patients (n = 38) required more than 1 procedure. Demographic data, rejection, infection, and incidence of BOS were compared between groups. RESULTS: The 1-year and 3-year survival rates in the Ochsner LAR cohort were 85% and 73%, respectively, vs 72% and 57% in the ISHLT cohort p < 0.01. The relative risks of death in the Ochsner group at 1- and 3-years were 0.56 (0.35-0.91) and 0.66 (0.48-0.92), respectively, p < 0.05. The median (range) follow-up was 910 days (60-1,886) for Group A and 961 days (105-1,883) for Group B, p = not significant. We observed twice as many patients with cystic fibrosis and twice as many pneumonia episodes in Group B. The rate of acute rejection in each group was not statistically different. The cumulative incidence of BOS was increased in Group B at 1 year and at 3 years (5% and 56%) when compared with Group A (3% and 13%), p < 0.01. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the findings from this observational, single-institution study, clinically indicated TBB/BAL without routine surveillance sampling of the lung allograft is unlikely to pose greater risk than does regularly scheduled bronchoscopy after lung transplantation.

Intracavitary hematoma simulating mycetoma formation.

SUMMARY: This case report details the initial radiographic findings of a patient with mixed connective-tissue disease who presented with significant hemoptysis. Several radiographic findings suggested mycetoma formation, prompting appropriate antibiotic therapy; however, the rapid resolution and subsequent reappearance of the lesion on serial images pointed toward a diagnosis of hemorrhage into a preexisting cavity. Chest radiographic and computed tomographic findings commonly described as pathognomonic for the diagnosis of mycetoma are, in fact, nonspecific and can be simulated by several other entities that result in intracavitary masses. Familiarity with these radiographic "mimickers" of mycetoma will aid in avoiding misdiagnosis and unnecessary or improper invasive interventions when the appropriate clinical history and course of disease are appreciated.