Aberration measurement from confocal axial intensity response using neural network.

We propose a high-speed, parallel system for lens aberration measurement employing a confocal optical setup. This method uses a non-interferometric, conventional confocal axial response to determine the spherical aberration coefficient of a confocal objective. The aberration coefficients are successfully calculated from the intensity axial response by employing a neural network. It is estimated that the system can find out the aberration coefficients of 10,000 microlenses in 20 seconds of measurement and 1 second of calculation time. Our experimental results also demonstrate the practicality of this system.

Thin-section CT detection of emphysema associated with bronchiectasis and correlation with pulmonary function tests.

PURPOSE: To evaluate, on thin-section CT scans, the prevalence of emphysema in patients with bronchiectasis and to correlate the results of thin-section CT scans with the results of pulmonary function tests, in order to question whether there was a particular functional test profile in this group of patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study including 90 patients having both thin-section CT scans and pulmonary function tests for bronchiectasis. A CT scoring system was established for assessing the airway disease by the severity and extent of bronchiectasis and by the extent of emphysema. CT scans were reviewed independently by two reviewers and final interpretation was obtained by consensus. Results of thin-section CT scans were correlated with results of pulmonary function tests, including FEV1 and FEV1/FVC to assess air-way obstruction, total lung capacity and residual volume to assess air trapping, and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide/alveolar volume (DCO/VA). RESULTS: CT evidence of emphysema, which was noted in 45% of the patients (n = 41), was mainly localized in the same bronchopulmonary segments as bronchiectasis. The presence of emphysema was in relation to the extent and to the severity of bronchiectasis. Only eight patients with CT evidence of emphysema had functional evidence of emphysema (20%). When comparing the group of patients with CT evidence of emphysema with the group of patients with no CT evidence of emphysema, the group of patients with CT evidence of emphysema had significantly higher airflow obstruction and air trapping, had significantly lesser value of diffusing capacity, but with no decreased gas transfer (DCO/VA > 80%). CONCLUSION: Our series suggests that there is a high prevalence of emphysema in patients with bronchiectasis. Emphysema that was not suggested using pulmonary function tests in most of the cases could explain in part the higher airway obstruction observed in the group of patients with CT evidence of emphysema. This study could support the suggestive notion that emphysema, which was mainly localized in bronchiectatic lobes, could be due to the inflammatory airway process.

Self-expanding metal stents for the management of bronchial stenosis and bronchomalacia after lung transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Airway stenosis or malacia after lung transplantation, usually as a result of anastomotic ischemia, remains a major problem. METHODS: The authors report their experience with the Gianturco expandable stent for the management of 23 bronchial stenoses in 18 patients following lung transplantation. Stent placement occurred an average of 5.6 months after transplantation. RESULTS: Stents were well tolerated and produced immediate symptomatic and functional improvement. The mean follow-up after implantation was 21 months (range, 4 to 48 mo). The authors removed five stents by endoscopy and replaced them, and removed one stent entirely. Laser resection was used to control granulomas or partial fibrosis stenosis that occurred in four stents (14.3%) after an average of 4 months. One stent broke but was still in place and effective 32 months later. One patient died of hemorrhage 4 months after stenting. CONCLUSION: Although it can still be improved, this expandable metal stent is suitable for the treatment of posttransplantation proximal bronchial stenosis.

[Radiation tolerance of patients after pneumonectomy for bronchial cancer: role of pulmonary function tests]. / Tolérance à l'irradiation des patients ayant eu une pneumonectomie pour cancer bronchique: place de l'exploration fonctionnelle respiratoire.

Radiation is often necessary after pneumonectomy, either immediately or due to local cancer recurrence. High radiation doses represent a challenge due to the limited tolerance of the lung and the necessity of preserving and protecting the remaining lung parenchyma. The use of CT scan based-treatment planning allows delivery of high radiation doses. To evaluate the radiation tolerance of the lung after high radiation dose, we compared pulmonary function tests performed before surgery and after radiation therapy. Ten male patients (mean age, 56 years old; age range, 45-73) were irradiated after pneumonectomy for lung cancer. All patients had a CT scan-based treatment planning. The mean radiation dose was 56 Gy (45-66 Gy) delivered with a linear accelerator and multiple complex fields. Two or more sets of pulmonary function tests were available (before surgery and 2 to 6 months after radiation). No patient developed clinical radiation pneumonitis and most of the patients had a minimal paramediastinal fibrosis at CT scan. Postirradiation pulmonary lung tests were compared to the theoretical values of the estimated defect observed after pneumonectomy. No significant decrease in forced expiratory volume in 1 s/inspiratory vital capacity (FEV1/IVC) was observed in ten evaluable patients; the observed values were comparable to those expected after pneumonectomy without irradiation (FEV1/IVC: 61 to 100%), showing that irradiation did not alter pulmonary function. Computerized tomography-based treatment planning and the use of complex beam positioning allowed optimal lung parenchymal preservation. Through this procedure, high doses of radiation can be delivered to the mediastinum and bed tumor. Comparison of pulmonary function tests performed before surgery and after radiation showed no alteration of lung function, even after high doses. Optimal tools required for the evaluation of radiation on lung parenchyma are still to be defined.

[Amiodarone: a new etiology of diffuse interstitial pneumopathy? Apropos of 2 personal cases and 10 cases from the literature]. / L'amiodarone: nouvelle étiologie de pneumopathie interstitielle diffuse? A propos de 2 cas personnels et de 19 cas de la littérature.

Diffuse Interstitial Pneumonia (PID) is probably, although rarely, a complication of Amiodarone therapy. We describe two new cases and review 19 from the recent literature. The first patient was a man treated solely with Amiodarone for three years (total dose 185 g). He presented clinically with a picture of PID with slight dyspnoea, weight loss of 4 kilos and a dry cough. There were pulmonary crackles on auscultation, diffuse reticulo-nodular shadows radiographically and compatible pulmonary function tests. Broncho-alveolar lavage (LBA) was lymphocytic (30%). Stopping Amiodarone without resorting to steroids led to the disappearance of the clinical signs within 15 days and the return to normal of the LBA and pulmonary radiograph within six months though the pulmonary function was unchanged. The second case was a 78 year old man treatment with Amiodarone for six months (total dose 20 g). He presents acutely with grade IV dyspnoea and low grade fever. There were pulmonary crackles on auscultation and a bilateral pulmonary infiltrate on the chest radiograph. The pulmonary function tests were compatible with PID showing a restrictive ventilatory defect, a reduced Carbon Monoxide transfer (single breath) and hypoxia. The diagnosis was confirmed by a transbronchial biopsy showing a parieto-alveolar infiltration with increased cellularity and collagen formation. The LBA was predominantly polymorphonuclear. Stopping the Amiodarone associated with steroid treatment produced a normal chest radiograph within six weeks, whilst moderate dyspnoea and less severe restrictive ventilatory defects persisted. The clinical, radiological, functional and histological features of our patients were comparable to those 19 cases reported in the literature.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Bronchiolitis caused by graft versus host reaction after bone marrow allograft]. / Bronchiolite par réaction du greffon contre l'hôte après allogreffe de moelle.

Graft versus host reaction (GVH) is a major complication of allogenic marrow transplants. The GVH present is a pluri-visceral syndrome in which certain pulmonary disorders are recognised. Amongst these respiratory failure by bronchiolitis is not an exceptional presentation. The case reported here is of an 18 year old man who developed, immediately following a marrow graft for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, a lethal obstructive respiratory failure after progression for 2 1/2 years. The respiratory function data (TVO with elevated residual volume (VR) and VR/Total lung capacity (CT) hypoxia which corrected on exercise with normocapnia then hypoxic hypercapnia; compliance normal at low frequency but fell at high frequency and inspiratory and expiratory resistance was raised: DLCO/VA was normal) allowed the confirmation of obstructive respiratory failure by disease of the small airways. The pathogenesis of CVH is equivocal. Recurring infections seem to play a role, favoured by iatrogenic factors such as chemotherapy and total body irradiation. In the case reported here the first pulmonary signs followed an episode of influenza with sero-conversion.

[Diffuse pulmonary carcinomatous lymphangitis. Study of respiratory function in 18 cases]. / Lymphangite carcinomateuse pulmonaire diffuse. Etude de la fonction respiratoire dans 18 cas.

Respiratory function studies were carried out in 18 patients with diffuse and isolated pulmonary lymphangitis (LCP) diagnosed on radiological and cyto-histological grounds. Restrictive ventilatory defects were found in 17 out 18 cases CPT: 75,3% (DS = 5), CV: 56.7% (DS = 14,5). The Tiffeneau coefficient was less than 65% in 50% of cases but the DEM/CV was reduced in 77% of cases, evidence of the great frequency of airflow obstruction. The measure of the (formula; see text) was normal in 5 out of 17 cases, implying the absence of an alveolar neoplastic lesion or obliteration by arteritis or capillaritis in LCP. The alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient on hyperoxia was normal (less than 27 kPa) 14 times out of 18 and slightly increased in 4. Important hypoxaemia at rest was present 17 times out of 18; PaO2: 8 kPa (DS = 1). There was no patient with alveolar hyperventilation: PaCO2: 4.3 kPa (DS = 0.5). On exercise, hypoxaemia remained stable 4 times, improved 5 times and worsened 9 times. A pathophysiological interpretation was given for each disturbance of respiratory function. In conclusion, a characteristic respiratory function profile of LCP is proposed, with a restrictive ventilatory disturbance or moderate mixed picture, a DLCO/VA ratio generally normal, almost constant hypoxaemia at rest and improvement or worsening on exercise. CPT = Mean total lung capacity. CV = Mean vital capacity. DS = Standard deviation.

[Chronic idiopathic eosinophilic pneumopathies. A study of 16 cases]. / Pneumopathies chroniques idiopathiques à éosinophiles. Etude de 16 cas.

We report 16 cases of chronic idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (P.C.I.E.). P.C.I.E. has well defined clinical, radiological and biological characteristics which enable the eosinophilic pulmonary infiltrates to be recognised and the diagnosis to be confirmed without histological proof. The data from broncho-alveolar lavage (L.B.A.) show that besides the radiological infiltrates, there is a diffuse alveolar eosinophilia; sometimes confirming the pulmonary function results, which show a similar pattern to diffuse interstitial pneumonia (P.I.D.). The frequent association of asthma (50%) and extra-pulmonary signs (30%) may suggest a vasculitis or more particularly the Churg-Strauss syndrome, all the more so without a lung biopsy; however the evolution of the disease and the response to low dose steroid therapy is against the latter two being considered in the differential diagnosis. The prognosis for P.C.I.E. is good in the short and medium term; nevertheless during the period under observation (mean 6.3 years) steroid therapy could only be stopped in 3 out of 16 patients. The other patients were stable with a low dose of Cortisone. No patient with P.C.I.E. associated with asthma or hypergammaglobulinaemia or extra-pulmonary signs could be weaned from steroids. The authors advocate that the dose of steroids should be adjusted as low as possible to maintain an eosinophilia below 500/mm3.

[Pneumopathy caused by hypersensitivity to isocyanates. Value and dangers of a realistic provocation test]. / Pneumopathie d'hypersensibilité aux isocyanates. Intérêts et dangers du test de provocation réaliste.

Organic isocyanates are responsible for bronchial pathology and in rare cases of hypersensitivity pneumonia. We present a new observation supported by a complete lung function assessment, histology of a transbronchial biopsy and a positive bronchial challenge test. The progress of the disorder was followed by repeated lung function measurements and bronchoalveolar lavage. The alveolar response at first showed an alveolar leukocytosis, then a mixed picture, finally becoming a pure lymphocytosis. The activity of the alveolar cells was assessed for T lymphocytes by cytofluorimetry, the presence of DRa like and LMR antigens and lastly for macrophages with Gallium scans. The inflammatory response was followed by analysing the proteins in the lavage liquid. The value of studying alveolar cell-activity and equally alveolar protein content is underlined in this study and reminds one of the character, sometimes unpredicted and dangerous, of challenge tests using isocyanates.

[Bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis, the cause of acute insufficiency in chronic obstructive bronchopathy. The value of nasal mechanical ventilation]. / Paralysie diaphragmatique bilatérale, cause de décompensation aiguë d'une bronchopathie chronique obstructive. Intérêt de la ventilation mécanique par voie nasale.

A 57 year old man with chronic bronchitis sought a consultation for dyspnoea at rest associated with an absolute inability to lie flat. Examination revealed paradoxical respiration and respiratory function testing revealed a mixed ventilation disturbance, which was predominantly obstructive and was aggravated in the dorsal decubitus position. Radiology revealed bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis, which was confirmed on measurement of transdiaphragmatic pressure. The patient benefited from assisted ventilation by the nasal route with an excellent result in both the short and the medium term. Investigation into the cause was negative, in particular there was no evidence of any neuromuscular abnormality. This case recalls the role of the diaphragm in acute respiratory failure and shows the value of mechanical ventilation by the nasal route in the treatment of certain types of diaphragmatic paralysis.

[Bronchiolitis obliterans with severe obstructive ventilation disorder after a bone marrow transplant. Study of 7 cases]. / Bronchiolite oblitérante avec trouble ventilatoire obstructif sévère après allogreffe de moelle osseuse. Etude de 7 cas.

In 40 to 60% of bone marrow grafts there are pulmonary complications of which the most frequent is the occurrence of an interstitial pneumonia. We report 7 cases here of a more rare complication, that of bronchiolitis obliterans (BO). Between December 1979 and November 1989, 7 patients (3.4% of our cases of GMO) have developed over several months a chronic obstructive respiratory failure (a mean VEMS of 43% of the theoretical value) in the year following the transplantation (mean delay 190 days). 6 patients presented with cutaneous, digestive or hepatic signs of chronic graft v host illness (GVH) whereas the prevalence of this complication in the population studied was 17%. Treatment combining bronchodilators and immunosuppressants was only successful in 2 cases and the outcome was fatal in the 5 other cases as a result of respiratory failure (mean delay 208 days between the appearance of respiratory symptoms and death). The pathogenesis of BO after GMO remains poorly understood. It may rest on an immune process during the course of which the BO would be the result of a chronic pulmonary GVH. Another hypothesis is that the state of the immunosuppression in these patients would favour the appearance of a bronchiolitis of an infectious origin, particularly viral. The prognosis of BO after GMO is very poor and in the absence of specific effective treatment the therapeutic strategy remains essentially that of prevention by the early detection of respiratory anomalies.

[Severe hypoxemia with orthodeoxia due to right to left shunt in idiopathic bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia]. / Hypoxémie sévère avec orthodéoxie par shunt droit-gauche au cours d'une bronchiolite oblitérante avec organisation pneumonique idiopathique.

We report a case of BOOP with severe hypoxemia and orthodeoxia. Chest X-ray showed bilateral infiltrative pneumonia and computed tomography scan revealed consolidations on lower lobes. Diagnosis of right-to-left shunt was made on the increase of alveolar-arterial oxygen difference under FIO2 100%, accented in standing position. Contrast-enhanced echocardiography and technetium-99 macroaggregated albumin body scanning did not show anatomical right-to-left shunt and permitted the diagnosis of intrapulmonary shunt at the capillary level because of intra-alveolar organisation. Treatment with corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide led to clinical, and radiological improvement with correction of the hypoxemia and the shunt.

[Spontaneous recurrent pneumothorax in young patients. Treatment by bilateral one stage apical pleurectomy by axillary approach]. / Pneumothorax spontané et récidivant du sujet jeune. Traitement par pleurectomie apicale bilatérale en un temps par voie axillaire.

The quality of the surgical and respiratory functional results of one-stage bilateral apical pleurectomy for alternating or successive bilateral pneumothorax was evaluated in 30 patients operated upon from 1970 to 1984. These 4 women and 26 men represented 15% of the 194 patients surgically treated for pneumothorax during the same period. Among early results figure absence of mortality, moderate blood loss (295 +/- 130 ml) and short stay in hospital (11 +/- 3 days). Late results could be assessed in 23 patients with a mean post-operative follow-up of 50 +/- 21 months; 7 patients were lost sight of. No clinical or radiological recurrence of pneumothorax was observed. No dyspnoea associated by post-operative ventilatory restriction was demonstrated in our 23 patients. Among the 12 patients subjected to a total of 16 spirographic examinations, 4 out of 10 examined after 6 months showed slight restriction. These good functional results are confirmed by the literature which only gives the results of unilateral pleurectomy.

[Alveolar proteinosis. Prolonged favorable course after total pulmonary lavage]. / Protéinose alvéolaire. Evolution favorable prolongée après lavage pulmonaire total.

We report the outcome in a case of alveolar proteinosis diagnosed histologically in a 43 year old female. The increase in dyspnoea and the deterioration in the pulmonary function tests have lead to the realisation that a total pulmonary lavage was required under general anaesthesia. This was performed in two stages. A biochemical analysis of the lavage liquid showed an accumulation of phospholipids, proteins, and LDH. A subjective improvement was obtained in a few weeks followed by a slow radiological improvement as well as on CT scanning, and in respiratory function. Radiological and blood gas improvement was noted 19 months after total bilateral pulmonary lavage. Broncho-alveolar lavage is thus able to induce long-term improvement in pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.

[Pulmonary arteriovenous fistula. Apropos of 12 cases]. / Fistules artério-veineuses pulmonaires. A propos de 12 cas.

Arteriovenous fistula of the lung is a relatively rare lesion with various clinical manifestations. It may be clinically silent and discovered by chance on X-ray films of the chest or during evaluation of Rendu-Osler-Weber disease with which it is associated in about one-half of the cases. It may also have loud manifestations when complicated. The fistula is diagnosed in successive steps, mainly by respiratory function tests and pulmonary angiography. Conservative treatment should be the rule, especially in case with multiple fistulae, but it must begin at an early stage to avoid the dramatic complications of this abnormality, such as acute neurological disorders, haemoptysis, haemothorax, etc. Wide and crippling lung resection must be avoided. Aneurysmorrhaphy or embolization is sufficient to cure most of these multiple angiomas. The results obtained are measured by calculating the blood flow rate in the shunt, as it should theoretically disappear after surgery.