A case of primary racemose hemangioma in which the disappearance of an endobronchial lesion was confirmed after bronchial artery embolization.

The confirmation of the improvement of endobronchial lesions in addition to that of vascular lesions after bronchial artery embolization of primary racemose hemangioma could be important.

Verification of a Motion Sensor for Evaluating Physical Activity in COPD Patients.

Background: Objective evaluation of the physical activity (PA) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is important. We validated a triaxial accelerometer, Active Style Pro HJA-750C® (HJA), and evaluated the necessary conditions for obtaining reproducible data. Methods: The PA measured by HJA was compared with that measured by two already validated accelerometers in 11 patients with COPD (age: 76.6 ± 6.9, FEV1% predicted: 57.6 ± 18.6). Then, the influence of weather and holidays on the PA and the required number of days to obtain repeatability were examined in 21 patients with COPD (age: 73.0 ± 8.0, FEV1% predicted: 58.7 ± 19.0). Results: The PA values measured by HJA and those by DynaPort Move Monitor® (DMM) or Actimarker® (AM) were significantly correlated at all intensities (p=0.024 at ≥4.0 METs by DMM and p < 0.0001 at the rest) except at ≥4.0 METs by AM, though the values measured by HJA were higher than those by AM which was reported to underestimate PA. The durations of PA on rainy days were significantly shorter than those on nonrainy days, but those on holidays were not different from those on weekdays. The values of ICC for 3, 4, or 5 days were higher than 0.8 at all intensities. The PA measured by HJA was correlated with the dyspnea scale FVC and age and tended to correlate with FEV1. Conclusions: The HJA was validated for evaluating the PA in patients with COPD. This trial is registered with UMIN000016363.

Chylothorax Associated with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.

An 80-year-old man who had suffered from chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and achieved complete remission was admitted to our hospital due to right pleural effusion. Thoracentesis revealed that the effusion was chyle. Lymphoscintigraphy showed an obstruction of the thoracic duct below the sternum. CD45-gated flow cytometry of the pleural effusion showed elevated numbers of CD5- and CD23-positive lymphocytes and a high serum level of soluble interleukin-2 receptor. These results suggested that the chylothorax was caused by the obstruction of the thoracic duct by the sludging of either abnormal lymphocytes of CLL or transformed malignant lymphoma cells.

[A case of tuberculosis pleuritis developing contralateral pleural effusion during anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy, falling into chronic respiratory failure].

The patient was a 74 year-old male presenting right pleural effusion with mild fever. His temperature was 37.0 degrees C. Culture of a pleural biopsy specimen revealed Mycobacterium tuberculosis, although culture of sputum and pleural effusion were negative. Therapy was begun with 300 mg of isoniazid (INH) per day, 600 mg of rifampicin (RFP) per day, and 1200 mg of pyrazinamide (PZA) per day. His temperature improved temporarily. One week after beginning of the therapy he had a fever over 38.0 degrees C. On the 17th day after starting chemotherapy, a chest radiological examination showed left pleural effusion in which numerous lymphocytes were found but Mycobacterium tuberculosis was negative. We assumed that the left pleural effusion was due to a paradoxical reaction to the anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy. After 3 days' discontinuation, the same regimen was resumed with an addition of prednisolone, but bilateral pleural effusion remained and the case finally fell into chronic respiratory failure.