Lung adenocarcinoma size as a predictor of distant metastasis: A CT scan-based measurement.

Previous studies have associated tumor size with metastasis and prognosis in lung carcinoma; however, a precise cut-off for predicting distant metastasis in lung adenocarcinoma remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the cut-off point for predicting distant metastasis in lung adenocarcinoma. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Dr. Moewardi Hospital, Surakarta, Indonesia, from January 2022 to September 2023. Total sampling was employed, involving patients over 18 years old with a confirmed diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma based on lung computed tomography (CT) scan findings, who had not yet received chemotherapy and had confirmed metastasis outside the lung. The study's dependent variable was the incidence of distant metastasis, while the independent variable was lung adenocarcinoma size. Two experienced thoracic radiologists measured lung adenocarcinoma size by assessing the longest axis using chest multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) in the lung window setting. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis determined the optimal tumor size cut-off for predicting distant metastasis. Of 956 thoracic cancer patients, 108 were diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 89 patients were eligible. In the present study, tumor size predicted 68.1% of distant metastasis cases, with a cut-off point of 7.25 cm, yielding a sensitivity of 61.9% and a specificity of 61.5%. Tumors >7.25 cm had a 2.60-fold higher risk of distant metastasis compared to smaller tumors, with larger tumors more likely to spread to various sites. In conclusion, lung adenocarcinomas larger than 7.25 cm have a 2.60-fold increased risk of distant metastasis, making tumor size a crucial predictive factor. The study provides valuable insights for radiologists and can improve diagnosis accuracy and treatment planning by emphasizing tumor size as a key factor in managing lung adenocarcinoma.

Effectiveness and safety of normoxic allogenic umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells administered as adjunctive treatment in patients with severe COVID-19.

Inflammatory response in COVID-19 contributes greatly to disease severity. Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) have the potential to alleviate inflammation and reduce mortality and length of stay in COVID-19 patients. We investigated the safety and effectiveness of normoxic-allogenic umbilical cord (NA-UC)-MSCs as an adjunctive treatment in severe COVID-19 patients. A double-blind, multicentric, randomized, placebo-controlled trial involving severe COVID-19 patients was performed from January to June 2021 in three major hospitals across Java, Indonesia. Eligible participants (n = 42) were randomly assigned to two groups (1:1), namely the intervention (n = 21) and control (n = 21) groups. UC-MSCs dose was 1 × 106 /kg body weight on day D0, D3, and D6. The primary outcome was the duration of hospitalization. Meanwhile, the secondary outcomes were radiographical progression (Brixia score), respiratory and oxygenation parameters, and inflammatory markers, in addition to the safety profile of NA-UC-MSCs. NA-UC-MSCs administration did not affect the length of hospital stay of severe COVID-19 patients, nor did it improve the Brixia score or mMRC dyspnoea scale better than placebo. Nevertheless, NA-UC-MSCs led to a better recuperation in oxygenation index (120.80 ± 72.70 baseline vs. 309.63 ± 319.30 D + 22, p = 0.038) and oxygen saturation (97.24 ± 4.10% vs. 96.19 ± 3.75% in placebo, p = 0.028). Additionally, compared to the placebo group, the treatment group had a significantly smaller increase in PCT level at D + 22 (1.43 vs. 12.76, p = 0.011). No adverse effects, including serious ones, were recorded until D + 91. NA-UC-MSCs therapy is a very safe adjunct for COVID-19 patients. It improves the oxygenation profile and carries potential to suppress inflammation.

A Case Report of Pulmonary Alveolar Microlithiasis: Focus on Radiologic Findings.

BACKGROUND Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM) is an uncommon pulmonary disease characterized by deposition of microliths in the alveoli. In this report, we describe the first ever documented case from the Indonesian population of an adult patient who was diagnosed with PAM based on clinical and pathognomonic radiological findings. CASE REPORT A 57-year-old man with a 12-year history of progressive shortness of breath on exertion was admitted to our center. When the lungs were listened to, there were coarse crackles and wheezing during inspiration, and the vesicular sound was lower in all thoracic regions. Cardiac auscultation was unremarkable, with fingers having a clubbed drumstick appearance. Bronchoscopy revealed all patent branches of the bronchial tree. Unfortunately, the microliths were absent, and the histology findings from bronchoalveolar lavage and transbronchial lung biopsy were inconclusive. Radiologic features of a chest radiograph show the characteristic finding of multiple diffuse micronodules with a high density in both lungs. A high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scan corroborated the typical findings of extensive intraparenchymal calcified micronodules with diffuse ground-glass attenuation areas. Black pleural line signs were also seen. CONCLUSIONS PAM is a rare disease with a chronic clinical course and varying manifestations according to phase, but progressive deterioration may result in a poor prognosis. It is particularly important for clinicians to be able to narrow down the differential diagnosis of multiple diffuse micronodules of the lungs. When a non-invasive method of diagnosis is preferred, chest X-rays and, even better, HRCT should be used to find the characteristic features of alveolar microlithiasis.

A 19-year-old woman with mature pericardial teratoma.

Mediastinal teratoma accounts for 10% of congenital teratoma and 7% of all childhood germ cell tumors. Subsequently, teratomas including intrapericardial or pericardial teratoma are extremely rare. A 19-year-old woman case admitted to Moewardi General Hospital in Surakarta, Indonesia, in June 2022 was reported with chest pain radiating to her back. Previously, the patient was treated with a tuberculosis regimen 2 months ago, because the CT results showed as tuberculosis mediastinal abscess. Therefore, the patient was referred to this hospital for further diagnosis. In this hospital, the CT was re-expertise with a result cystic lesion attached to the pericardial suggestive pericardial cyst. The patient later experienced tumor resection and was pathologically diagnosed with a mature pericardial teratoma.

Co-existing active pulmonary tuberculosis with aspergilloma in a diabetic patient: A rare case report.

Pulmonary aspergilloma is commonly associated with tuberculosis. Pulmonary aspergilloma is found in residual tuberculosis cavities and potential for other pathogens' infections due to its sufficient oxygen and necrotizing tissue. A 48-year-old woman came with shortness of breath and cough for 7 months. She was diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis 9 months ago and was still under anti-tuberculosis drug therapy. She also suffered from type II diabetes mellitus. Chest examination showed vesicular sound decreased in third to fourth left intercostal spaces. A chest x-ray revealed a thick-walled cavity with the air-crescent sign in the left upper lobe lung leads to aspergilloma and active pulmonary tuberculosis. This finding was confirmed by the contrast-enhanced CT scan of the chest and continued to lobectomy. Histological examination confirmed the presence of a granuloma formation, necrosis, hyphae structure with the conclusion of Aspergillus sp. infection.

The use of FIESTA sequence MRI in successful management of abdominal pregnancy.

Identification of fetal location and its relations to abdominal organs is extremely important in reducing fetal and maternal morbidity in rare cases of abdominal pregnancy. Ultrasound examination is inadequate for helping to successfully manage such cases. In this case report, FIESTA sequence MRI is used to provide high-resolution, better contrast, and higher signal-to-noise ratio fetal and abdominal images. A case of advanced abdominal pregnancy with a live fetus is reported. The surgery was conducted successfully on 34 weeks of gestation.