[Is it possible to recognize complicated heart sarcoidosis?]. / Czy mozna przyzyciowo rozpoznawac sarkoidoze serca?

Authors present 3 cases of pulmonary sarcoidosis coexisting with disturbances in ecg. Cardiac scintigraphy showed segmental disorders of perfusion in those patients. We believe that morphological diagnosis of sarcoidosis and coexistent disturbances in ecg are indications to perform cardiac perfusion scintigraphy. Changes in cardiac perfusion can also suggest the presence of sarcoid granulomas in the heart muscle.

[Use of perfusion lung scintigraphy for diagnosis of pleural empyema]. / Zastosowanie scyntygrafii perfuzyjnej pluc w diagnostyce ropniaka oplucnej.

Two cases of pleural empyema with the special reference to the value of perfusion scintigraphy in the diagnostics are presented. It's role in assessment of functional disorders caused by disease as well as in choosing way of treatment is emphasized.

[Mobility of the diaphragm and lung perfusion following decortication due to chronic pleural empyema]. / Ruchomosc przepony i przeplyw plucny po dekortykacji pluca z powodu przewleklego ropniaka oplucnej.

Mobility of the diaphragm and lung perfusion after decortication, due to chronic pleural empyema in the group of 31 patients is analysed. In our group amplitude of 8 cm diaphragm mobility at PA radiological examination was confirmed and it is accepted as normal range. Scintigraphic assessment of the lung perfusion with human macroalbumin-Technet complex was made. In 10 patients after left side decortication perfusion was lower than normal range. There was no statistical correlation between worsering of the mobility of the diaphragm and reduction of the lung perfusion in the examined group.

[A case of lipoid pneumonia]. / Przypadek tluszczowego zapalenia pluc.

The 58 years old woman with chronic cough, dyspnea and infiltrations in low area of left lung was described. Antibiotics were not effective. Cancer cells were not found during bronchoscopy. Explorative thoracotomy was made. Lipoid pneumonia was recognised. Just now the patient has completed history: she has taken lipoid nasal drops for many years.

Electrophysiological investigation of the effects of ambroxol on the transepithelial Na+ ion transport pathway in airways.

Isolated tracheal wall was studied by the Ussing method during selective inhibition of single, electrogenic, transepithelial ion transport pathways with either amiloride (for Na+) or bumetanide (for Cl-). It was shown that ambroxol influences the Na+ transepithelial transport pathway which is partly responsible for the hyperpolarization after mechanical stimulation of the mucosal surface of tracheal wall. Ambroxol augments the Na+ current during the presence of bumetanide in the experimental system, but diminishes it during the washing of amiloride from the measuring chamber. These bidirectional effects of ambroxol provide indirect evidence that the drug is a partial agonist for the memberance receptors which form part of the intrawall control system responsible for integration of airwall function with the transepithelial ion transport.

[A case of sarcoidosis with massive pleural and pericardial effusion]. / Przypadek sarkoidozy przebiegajacej z duza iloscia plynu w oplucnych i w osierdziu.

A rare case of sarcoidosis with massive pleural and pericardial effusion in 30-year-old female patient was presented. Diagnosis was established on the basis of the specimen examination of bronchial mucosa and lymph nodes. Suspicion of heart sarcoidosis was supported by radioisotopic examination. Following steroid therapy, fast disappearance of the pathological changes was observed.

[Evaluation of penetrating heart wounds by echocardiography]. / Ocena penetrujacych ran serca z wykorzystaniem echokardiografii.

The paper presents a rare case of a penetrating endocardial wound, managed conservatively, in which echocardiography was used in the serial monitoring. Heart injuries constitute about 6% of all chest injuries. Because of the possibility of cardiac tamponade and the massive bleeding into the pleural cavity, they are life-threatening. In such cases only surgical intervention gives a chance to save the patient (5). It turns out, however, that patients with normal echocardiogram and normal vital signs can be managed conservatively, with echocardiographic monitoring.

Ambroxol effect on transepithelial electrical potential difference of isolated tracheal wall.

The effect of ambroxol on ion transport in isolated tracheal wall was studied by the electrophysiological (Ussing) method. It was shown that ambroxol influenced one component of the transepithelial electrical potential difference (PD), which is related to ion transport processes mechanically stimulated by a jet of bathing fluid from a peristaltic pump. The other component of the PD, which represented stable ion transport processes, was not influenced by the drug. The stimulation-dependent component of the PD was deeply inhibited, or sometimes even eliminated, by a change in the pH of the stimulating bathing fluid from 7.4 to 6.4. Ambroxol, in a concentration of 5 microM, restored the mechanical reactivity of tissue stimulated by jet of fluid at pH 6.4. We put forward the hypothesis that ambroxol influences the ion transport processes, which are evoked by stimulation of "cough receptors", in a way that probably augments airway cough clearance.

[Evaluation of treatment outcome for pulmonary tuberculosis with early introduction of intermittent methods, two years after the conclusion of treatment]. / Ocena wyników leczenia gruzlicy, pluc z wczesnym wprowadzeniem metody przerywanej, w dwa lata po zakonczeniu kuracji.

This publication is a continuation of our study for the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis with early introduction of the intermittent methods. Early results were presented in a preliminary reports (Pneumonol. Alergol. Pol., 1995, 63, 57). From among 33 patients who were treated in this way, two-year follow-up was performed in 29 persons (we lost contact with two persons, 1 patient died from other reasons, and the next one was excluded for ambulatory prolongation of II phase of the treatment). 15 patients were supervised directly in our Department, and the others were estimated from records of Regional Antituberculosis Outpatient Clinics. Two years after the completion of therapy all 29 patients remained smear-negative and radiologically stable. On this basis, we assumed that results of the treatment of smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis with early introduction of the intermittent methods are as good as standard therapy.

[Analysis of course and treatment results after treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis with early introduction of interrupted observation--preliminary report]. / Analiza przebiegu i wyników leczenia gruzlicy pluc z wczesnym wprowadzeniem kuracji nadzorowanej metoda przerywana--doniesienie wstepne.

The results of the treatment 33 patients for smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis with Isoniazid, Rifampicin, Pyrazinamide and Streptomycin administrated during first two weeks daily, from 3 to 8 week also with these four drugs but in a little higher doses twice weekly and next Isoniazid and Rifampicin during 9-26 weeks also twice weekly as in standard Polish model were described. After therapy with above described regimen all patients became smear-negative and radiological improvement was observed. Drugs in higher doses were well tolerated. Only abnormality in laboratory findings was temporary elevated level of uric acid, which recovered to normal values before the end of therapy. Costs of antituberculous drugs were used in this regimen is approximately 35% lower than standard model in Poland.

[Spirometric investigation and spiro-ergometric test in evaluation of exercise tolerance in patients suffering from aluminosis and silicosis]. / Badanie spirometryczne a test spiroergometryczny w ocenie zdolnosci wysilkowej u chorych na pylice krzemowo-glinowa.

The main purpose of our research was to estimate the ventilation and physical efficiency in 6 patients suffering from aluminosis and silicosis. Chest X-ray examinations, statical spirometric investigations and spiroergometric tests (TSE) were performed. Oxygen levels achieved in this group were equal or even higher than medium values achieved by healthy people. Ability to physical effort can be estimated only using TSE.

[Spirographic predicted values for young men in Poland]. / Aktualne normy spirograficzne dla mlodych mezczyzn w Polsce.

Basing on results of VC and FEV1 measurements in 293 males of the age group 15-40 years using the regression calculations new predictive values were calculated. These values were compared with values published 27 years earlier by Nikodemowicz and Morris's normograms. The latter published the highest reference values, on which most computer programs are based on. The analysis demonstrated significantly higher predictive values compared to those of Nikodemowicz, and comparable with the Morris's normograms. It seems that the latter can be used for reference values in Poland.

[The time necessary for establishing a morphological diagnosis in patients with inoperable lung cancer]. / O sroke, neobkhodimom dlia ustanovleniia morfologicheskogo diagnoza u bol'nykh s neoperabel'nym rakom legkogo.

The authors analyze the time period necessary for morphological diagnosis in 100 consecutive patients with inoperable lung cancer admitted for treatment to the Department of pulmonology and tuberculosis of the Szczecin Medical Academy from 1989 through 1990. The following methods were used: cytological examination of sputum, bronchoscopy, fiber bronchoscopy, transthoracic biopsy by a thin needle, biopsy of the metastatic focus and cytological examination of the pleural cavity fluid. The causes of inoperability were: tumour histobiology variants (anaplastic small-cell cancer), cardiovascular failure and technical in operability. The diagnosis was established in all patients averagely within 16 days of hospital stay. More frequently the diagnostic material was obtained by means of bronchoscopy, then cytological examination of the sputum and transthoracic biopsy. In some patients without symptoms it is expedient to carry out diagnostic procedures in outpatient condition which is of economic importance.

[A case of endobronchial hamartoma]. / Przypadek odpryskowiaka wewnatrzoskrzelowego (hamartoma endobronchiale).

A case of an endobronchial hamartoma localized in the right basal bronchus is presented. The tumor was ablated bronchoscopically. Due to uncertainty of total excision and coexistence of cirrhotic changes of the right lower lobe surgical removal of the lobe was carried out. Pathological examination of the removed specimen did not disclose any remnants of the hamartoma. During surgery another growth anomaly was discovered--a bilobar right lung.

[Analysis of the clinical course of pulmonary tuberculosis in women over 70 years of age]. / Analiza przebiegu klinicznego gruzlicy pluc u kobiet powyzej 70 roku zycia.

The course of pulmonary tuberculosis was analyzed in 34 females older than 70 years and 30 women, age range 35-55 years (mean 43.8 yrs) treated between 1.01.1985 and 31.12.1988 in the Pulmonological Department of the Szczecin Medical Academy. Pulmonary tuberculosis in females aged more than 70 years was diagnosed basing mainly on clinical grounds (82%), positive sputum (88%) and advanced radiological changes. In 25% evidence of the middle lobe syndrome was found--all sputum positive. In the control group such findings were not seen. In almost all patients of this group 4 drug therapy was instituted. Streptomycin was tolerated the poorest. The therapeutical course was similar in both groups. Pulmonary tuberculosis in the studied group was usually diagnosed in the advanced stage. The population of females of 70 years and older is an important epidemiological risk factor.

[Comparative assessment of the theoretical values of vital capacity (VC) considered normal by various authors]. / Analiza porównawcza teoretycznych wielkosci pojemnosci zyciowej pluc (VC) uznawanych przez róznych autorów za wielkosci nalezne (normy).

Values of VC for "theoretical subjects" of comparable sexes, age, height were found in tables and normograms according to Baldwin, Berglund, Kory, Nikodemowicz and Morris. For each series of values, mean, standard deviation, minimal, maximal, and median values were calculated. A differential test was performed to assess significance. Statistically significant differences were found. The highest values were expressed by Morris lowest by Berglund. It seems that one should rather use real values instead of predicted and new reference values are needed due to a change of height-age relation during the past 20 years.

[Analysis of the clinical course of occupational pulmonary tuberculosis in medical personnel of the Western Pomerania macroregion 1978-1987]. / Analiza przebiegu klinicznego gruzlicy pluc uznanej za chorobe zawodowa u pracowników sluzby zdrowia makroregionu Zachodniopomorskiego w latach 1978-1987.

An analysis of the clinical course of pulmonary tuberculosis diagnosed in medical personal of the Western Pomeranian macroregion in the years 1978-1987 was carried out. Most often nurses develop this disease followed by technicians and doctors. 43% of this population did not have constant contact with active tuberculosis. Symptoms led to a diagnosis in 40% of the cases. In 27 patients radiological changes involved less than two pulmonary fields. In 17 cases a three drug regimen was instituted. The average hospitalization period was lower in these cases than in other treated in this region. Also the incidence rates of at risk medical personal were lower than overal incidence rates.

[Comparative analysis of basic spirometric parameters recognized by different authors as normal values for the same individuals]. / Analiza porównawcza wielkosci podstawowych parametrów spirometrycznych uznawanych przez róznych autorów za wartosci nalezne (normy) dla tych samych osób.

Basic spirometric parameters (VC, FEV1, MVV) were recorded in 60 people (30 males and 30 females) without ventilatory disturbances. These results were compared with the normal values of Berglund, Kory, Cournand, Morris and Nikodemowicz. A statistical analysis was carried out using the differential test. The results differed significantly between each other. The most stable parameter that did not differ was FEV1. This may be an argument for calculating IMBC rather than recording maximal ventilatory response.