Nephrotic syndrome as first manifestation of a bronchopulmonary malignancy. A case report.

We present two cases of a bronchopulmonary tumor with paraneoplastic nephrotic syndrome as initial manifestation. After surgical resection of the tumor, regression of the nephrotic syndrome occurred.

Destroyed lung due to aspiration of phenolphthalein.

A 76-year-old female, presented with a recurrent cough and haemoptysis after an aspiration of a 'grain de Valls'. Chest radiography and computed tomography demonstrated an atelectasis of the medial segment of the right middle pulmonary lobe. Bronchoscopy was negative for any malignancy but the onco-PET-scan showed a pathologic hypermetabolic lesion in the right middle lobe. A lobectomy was performed and pathology revealed a 'destroyed lung' with images of foreign body reactions and microabscesses without any sign of malignancy. Postoperatively, clinical improvement with complete resolution of the symptoms was observed. With this case report we demonstrate the irritative and clastogenic characteristics of phenolphtalein, the main active ingredient of the 'grain de Valls'. This case also illustrates an example of a false positive PET-scan.

[Retroperitoneal Castelman disease. Apropos of a new case]. / La maladie de Castleman rétropéritonéale. A propos d'une nouvelle observation.

A retroperitoneal localization of Castleman's disease was characterized by angiolymphoid hyperplasia. This rare disease (58 cases of abdominal localization reported to date) raises a question of nosology. The clinical features are not specific. Localized forms in young patients involve deep lymph nodes and have a good prognosis after complete surgical exeresis. Inversely, the clinical picture is much more aggressive in multiple localizations involving preferentially superficial nodes with associated plasmocyte proliferation. The prognosis is mediocre in these forms. Although transition stages have been described due to the lack of any known aetiology, the question of nosology remains open: should the different forms be separated or identified simply as two pathological forms?

Cobalt-induced bronchial asthma in diamond polishers.

Three diamond workers had occupational asthma attributed to the inhalation of cobalt powder. The exposure originated from high speed polishing disks with an abrasive consisting of microdiamonds cemented in extra fine cobalt not alloyed to tungsten carbide. The bronchoconstriction progressed towards the end of working-days; it was especially pronounced in the absence of an adequate exhaust ventilation; and it could be accompanied by rhinitis and chest tightness. Cobalt inhalation challenge tests were positive in all three patients, and exposure to cobalt temporarily increased nonspecific hyperreactivity.

Pulmonary infiltrates with eosinophilia due to glafenine.

Pulmonary hypersensitivity in a 36-year-old man manifested by fever, abnormal lung auscultation, lung infiltrates and blood eosinophilia had to be ascribed to glafenine, a widely used analgesic drug. The observation was confirmed by reappearance of symptoms and biochemical abnormalities on rechallenge with glafenine.

Cobalt lung in diamond polishers.

Five diamond polishers with interstitial lung disease attributed to cobalt not alloyed to carbides of hard metals are described. The exposure originated from high-speed grinding tools with a polishing surface of microdiamonds cemented in very fine cobalt. Mineralogic analysis of lung tissue, lavage fluid, filtered air, and exhaust dust in the work environment revealed cobalt as the only toxic agent. Complaints consisted of work-related rhinitis, cough, chest tightness, dyspnea, anorexia, and weight loss, and were intensified in the absence of an adequate exhaust ventilation. Three subjects were in a rather subacute stage, as documented by open lung biopsy in 2 of them, and had a severe restrictive defect and markedly decreased diffusing capacity. Two patients presented a more chronic histologic pattern and had a less decreased diffusing capacity. Open lung biopsies showed in these 4 a fibrosing alveolitis, mainly of the centrilobular zones. In the former 2 patients, subacute lesions consisting of a mural mononuclear cell infiltrate, marked intra-alveolar desquamation, and multinucleated giant cells were found, whereas in the latter 2, centrilobular fibrosis with some microcyst formation was also already seen. Multiple multinucleated giant cells were present in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Interruption of the exposure, with or without corticotherapy, caused a rapid regression of the complaints and a partial improvement of lung function.