New insights on COPD imaging via CT and MRI

Multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) can be used to quantify morphological features and investigate structure/function relationship in COPD. This approach allows a phenotypical definition of COPD patients, and might improve our understanding of disease pathogenesis and suggest new therapeutical options. In recent years, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has also become potentially suitable for the assessment of ventilation, perfusion and respiratory mechanics. This review focuses on the established clinical applications of CT, and novel CT and MRI techniques, which may prove valuable in evaluating the structural and functional damage in COPD.     

经皮穿刺椎体成形术治疗合并肺气肿的胸椎压缩性骨折

目的 探讨合并严重肺气肿的胸椎压缩性骨折进行经皮穿刺椎体成形术的技术特点和治疗效果。方法 7例(10个椎体)合并严重肺气肿并且透视椎体显示不清的胸椎骨质疏松椎体压缩骨折患，侧卧位在CT结合C型臂透视引导下进行经皮穿刺椎体成形术。术前、术后2d和随访时分别测定疼痛强度评分、止痛药使用和活动能力评分。随访2-8个月，平均5个月。结果 7例皆顺利完成手术，注射骨水泥的量平均2．2ml／椎体(1．0～4．0m1)，无临床并发症，手术时间2—3．5h／例。疼痛强度评分值术后2d比术前平均减低3．9，随访时进一步下降0．2—2．9，活动能力和止痛药使用术后均明显改善。结论 合并肺气肿的胸椎压缩性骨折患行经皮穿刺椎体成形术治疗前应进行骨折椎体透视检查，显示不清选择侧卧位在CT结合C型臂透视引导下穿刺注射可获得良好疗效。     

硝苯啶治疗慢性阻塞性肺气肿20例

对慢性阻塞性肺气肿(简称慢阻肺)患者20例(男13例,女7例;年龄53±7a)采用硝苯啶10-15mg,tid,po×2wk,后改为5mg,tid,维持用药,总有效率95％,副作用轻微。另设24例慢阻肺患者(男17例,女7例,年龄52±6a)采用氨茶碱0.1-0.2g,tid,po,×2wk,总有效率71％,其中4例因副作用而停药。2组疗效比较无显著差别。     

Conservative management of a major post-intubation tracheal injury and review of current management

Tracheal rupture represents a rare but serious complication of intubation. We discuss a case of a major post-intubation rupture. After investigation with CT scan tracheoscopy and bronchoscopy a low tracheostomy was formed protecting the rupture from pressure changes associated with ventilation. The patient was managed with minimal surgical intervention, low tracheostomy with antibiotic cover and monitoring in the intensive care unit for 24 h before being woken and moved to a ward after 48 h. The patient made a full and uncomplicated recovery and was discharged 2 weeks after the original injury. Most of the literature on the subject is made up of review of case reports that conclude management of such a major tear must be with surgical repair. This however confers significant morbidity and an associated high mortality. We suggest an alternative management protocol.     

Swyer-James综合征的CT表现

目的探讨Swyer-James综合征的CT及高分辨率CT(HRCT)表现。方法19例胸部CT扫描患者,均行HRCT扫描,其中13例有深呼气末及深吸气末HRCT扫描,1例经手术病理证实闭塞性细支气管炎并支气管扩张。结果19例共累及37叶肺,CT显示全部肺叶透亮度增高和肺叶血管纹理细小,其中35叶(95%)容积缩小;同时,CT显示合并支气管扩张19例、肺结核2例、细支气管炎6例和节段性肺不张3例。结论CT及HRCT扫描是诊断该病的较佳方法。     

Development and results of the Spanish registry of patients with alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency

The Spanish registry of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency was founded in 1993 and became a member of the International Registry (AIR) in 1999. We describe the updating process following its incorporation into AIR and compare the data collected in the first period (1993–1999) and the second period (1999–2005), during which time patients were included exclusively by internet.The registry included 301 patients during period 1, 69% males and 46% had a history of smoking. Their mean age was 46 years (SD = 13) and 284 (94%) had the ZZ phenotype, 49% received augmentation therapy. During period 2, 161 new cases were included, 63% of whom were males with a mean age of 44 years (SD = 16). A total of 126 (78%) had the ZZ phenotype. Only 12% received augmentation therapy. A total of 462 different patients were included in both periods. Significant differences were observed in the number of cases with the SZ phenotype and the severity of FEV₁ impairment between the two periods.Implementation of an internet-based collection of data did not result in a lower rate of reporting to the registry. However, data from a significant number of patient included in period 1 could not be actualized in the new data base.     

Effect of environmental and clinical factors on lung function and respiratory symptoms in adolescents with α1-antitrypsin deficiency

Individuals identified in the Swedish neonatal α₁-antitrypsin (AAT) screening study were followed prospectively from their first to their eighteenth year of life. The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of environmental factors, i.e. active and passive smoking, and of clinical factors on lung function and the occurrence of respiratory symptoms in AAT-deficient adolescents. The study group consisted of 88 protease inhibitor (Pi)ZZ and 40 PiSZ adolescents. Medical history including respiratory symptoms, and active and passive smoking were recorded at each follow-up up to the age of 18 y. Lung function tests were performed at the present check-up. At the age of 18 y, both forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁) and FEV₁/vital capacity (VC) were significantly lower in the smoking than in the non-smoking subgroup, and significantly more smokers than non-smokers reported the presence of phlegm. The mean FEV₁/VC ratio was lower for those presently exposed to parental smoking. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that clinical liver disease in early life, active smoking and parental smoking were independent determinants of FEV₁/VC. The results suggest that marginal deviations in lung function and the symptom of phlegm among AAT-deficient adolescents occur characteristically early in the subgroup of smokers. Parental smoking may contribute to decreased lung function     

MMP-9和TIMP-1在实验性肺气肿大鼠肺组织中的表达及其意义

目的研究基质金属蛋白酶(MMP-9)及其组织抑制因子(TIMP-1)在弹性蛋白酶所致肺气肿大鼠肺组织中的表达.方法雄性Wistar大鼠20只,随机分为两组:正常对照组和肺气肿模型组,每组10只.模型组大鼠气管内滴入弹性蛋白酶复制肺气肿模型.25d后,观察各组大鼠肺组织的病理改变,免疫组化方法观察肺组织MMP-9和TIMP-1中的蛋白表达情况.结果肺气肿模型组MMP-9和TIMP-1的表达与正常对照组相比明显增强(P＜0.01),且MMP-9/TIMP-1比值失衡.结论MMP-9/TIMP-1失衡在肺气肿形成中起重要作用.     

Effects of isoflurane on oxygenation during one-lung ventilation in pulmonary emphysema patients

Background: Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction has an important role in human one-lung ventilation (OLV) in the lateral decubitus position under general anesthesia. During OLV, inhalational anesthesia may inhibit hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction and the decrease in arterial oxygenation. We studied the effect of isoflurane administration on arterial oxygen tension in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.
Methods: Ten patients who had thoracoscopic laser ablation of bullous emphysema were studied. Patients received 2% isoflurane in oxygen from induction until the first 20 min of OLV in the lateral decubitus position, then were switched to 1% isoflurane lasting 20 min and next were switched to 0.5% isoflurane lasting 20 min. After each 20-min inhalation, pulmonary and hemodynamic parameters were measured. The given concentrations for isoflurane were merely vapor meter concentrations.
Results: PaO₂/FIO₂, Qs/Qt respiratory rate peak inspiratory pressure and PaCO₂ showed no significant changes at each point of isoflurane. Expiratory tidal volume significantly decreased (P<0.05) with 0.5% isoflurane compared to that with 2% isoflurane. Cardiac output, mean arterial pressure, mean pulmonary arterial pressure, systemic vascular resistance and pulmonary vascular resistance showed no significant changes at each point of isoflurane.
Conclusions: In patients with pulmonary emphysema, arterial oxygenation is not affected by low isoflurane concentration during OLV in the lateral decubitus position.