A case of esophageal tuberculosis which developed during the treatment for tuberculous lymphadenitis

A 23-year-old man was admitted to the other hospital complaining of fever and lymph node swelling in the left neck. Computed tomography showed swollen mediastinal lymph nodes without intrapulmonary lesions. Mycobacterium tuberculosis were identified by sputum culture and cervical lymph node biopsy and the case was diagnosed as tuberculous lymphadenitis. Three weeks after starting treatment with four anti-tuberculous drugs, he complained chest pain while eating and chest X-ray showed a new infiltrative shadow in the right cardiophrenic angle, then he was admitted to our hospital. Esophagoscopy revealed a deep ulceration with fistulas at 30 cm from the incisor and he was diagnosed as esophageal tuberculosis by histological examination of the biopsy specimen showing remarkable leukocytes infiltration and epithelioid cell granulomas with a few multinucleated giant cells. After antituberculous chemotherapy for six months, the mediastinal and cervical lymphadenopathy were reduced in size and the esophageal ulceration almost disappeared. Although esophageal tuberculosis is rare, the disease might develop during or after mediastinal or periesophageal tuberculous lymphadenitis.     

A case of lung cancer with hyperthyroidism]

We here report a case of metastasis from lung cancer to the thyroid. On presentation, this patient showed painful anterior cervical swelling and right supraclavicular lymph node swelling. Laboratory data showed primary hyperthyroidism. Although subacute thyroiditis was suspected, echo-guided needle aspiration biopsy and lymph node biopsy revealed poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. As a result, primary lung cancer with thyroid metastasis was diagnosed based on mediastinal enlargement on chest X ray films and normal findings in organs other than the lung and thyroid. Chemotherapy for lung cancer induced a decrease in the size of tumor and the normalization of thyroid function. However, 2 months after the normalization, cervical swelling enlarged and a lung mass in right upper lobe and skin tumor appeared. Despite treatment with chemotherapy, she died. Postmortem revealed that the right upper lung carcinoma was the primary lesion and immunohistochemical staining for surfactant protein was positive in the thyroid, skin tumor and lymph node, which revealed these carcinomas had metastasized from lung cancer. To the best of our knowledge, thyrotoxicosis induced by thyroid metastasis of lung cancer is an uncommon case.     

A case of primary lung cancer with cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis]

A 66-year-old woman was admitted due to right cervical lymphadenopathy and an abnormal chest radiograph. Acid-fast bacilli smear of fine needle aspiration from a right cervical lymph node was positive. Histopathological examination of the specimen obtained by percutaneous right cervical lymph node biopsy showed necrotizing epithelioid granulomas and no malignant cells. Therefore, right cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis was diagnosed. Partial lung resection of the right S4 was carried out by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery and primary lung cancer was diagnosed. To our knowledge, there has been no previous report of both primary lung cancer and cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis being present at the time of the first examination. We report this very rare case.     

An adult case of cervico-mediastinal lymph nodes tuberculosis followed by the development of pulmonary lesions during the treatment with antituberculous drugs

A 27-year-old man was admitted to our hospital due to a painful mass in the right neck and fever. Cervical and superior mediastinal computed tomography showed an enlargement of right supraclavicular lymph node and multiple swollen mediastinal lymph nodes, including low-density areas and contrast medium-enhanced septa and margins. Smears of the pus obtained from right supraclavicular lymph node showed acidfast bacilli identified as Mycobacterium tuberculosis by PCR method. He was treated with antituberculous drugs with INH, RFP, EB, and PZA. PZA was given for initial two months. Six months later, productive cough developed and chest X-ray films showed infiltrative shadow in the right upper lung field. One month after the onset of cough, bronchoscopy revealed a polypoid lesion with a white coating in the right main bronchus. Microscopic examination of the specimen obtained by transbrochial biopsy revealed many epithelioid cell granulomas, consistent with tuberculosis. From these findings, pulmonary lesion was suggested to be due to invasion of the mediastinal lymph node into the bronchus. After one year of antituberculous chemotherapy, the swelling of the cervical-mediastinal lymph nodes was reduced and the abnormal chest X-ray shadows disappeared.     

Adult T-cell leukemia with a solitary lung mass.

A 49-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital with supraclavicular lymph node swelling. On a chest x-ray film, a 4 x 4-cm nodular shadow was observed in the right middle lung field. The white blood cell count was 10,100/cu mm, showing 44 percent abnormal lymphocytes with lobulated nuclei. Since HTLV-I antibodies were markedly positive, she was diagnosed as having ATL. Transbronchial tumor biopsy revealed accumulation of ATL cells. Our patient is the first case with only a large nodular accumulation of ATL cells without diffuse infiltration of the cells in the lung.     

A case of tuberculous lymphadenitis diagnosed by the open abdominal lymph node biopsy

A 16-year-old female was admitted to our hospital six months ago. On X-ray examination of the test, swelling of lymph nodes in the right mediastinum was seen. CT scan showed multiple lymph node swelling in the neck, mediastinum and abdomen. On open abdominal lymph node biopsy, she was diagnosed as tuberculous lymphadenitis and liver tuberculosis. Antituberculous chemotherapy consisting of INH, RFP, EB and SM was started. After regular treatment, right mediastinal lymph nodes were markedly reduced in size on chest X-ray film. At present, she is in fine condition. Surprisingly, her condition has improved to a great extent within six months.     

A case of aprindine-induced pneumonitis

A 73-year-old man had been treated with Aprindine because of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. On July 13, 1987, five months after the commencement of aprindine administration, he developed dyspnea and low grade fever. His chest X-ray revealed multiple infiltrative shadows in both lung fields. He was treated by various antibiotics, but the infiltrative shadows increased. BALF showed increased percentage of lymphocytes and a decrease in the OKT4/T8 ratio, and the histological findings of TBLB carried out on August 6, 1987, showed alveolitis with Masson bodies. The lymphocyte stimulation test by drugs was positive only for aprindine. After cessation of Aprindine administration, his complaints and laboratory data improved, but his abnormal shadow on chest X-ray did not diminish completely. Open lung biopsy was performed for differential diagnosis of BOOP, on Sep. 14, 1987. The histopathology of specimens of the lung was compatible with drug-induced pneumonitis. The administration of 30 mg of prednisolone was started on Oct. 14, 1987, and the dosage was decreased gradually. The abnormal shadow on chest X-ray improved. To our knowledge, there has been no reported case of Aprindine-induced pneumonitis, and this could be the first report.     

An adult case of cervico-mediastinal tuberculous lymphadenitis]

We reported a case of cervico-mediastinal tuberculous lymphadenitis followed by the development of pulmonary lesions and recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy. A 48-year-old man was admitted to our hospital due to fever, dry cough, and loss of body weight. He had no medical history of tuberculosis or other significant diseases. On admission, a right cervical tumor was palpable and chest X-ray films revealed widened superior mediastinum. Chest computed tomography showed multiple swollen mediastinal lymph nodes, including multiple low-density areas and contrast medium-enhanced septa and margins. Gallium-67 scintigraphy demonstrated abnormal uptake in the right cervix and mediastinum. A PPD skin test was strongly positive and ribosomal RNA of tubercle bacilli was detected in aspirated gastric juice. Although anti-tuberculous chemotherapy was initiated, fever and cough persisted, and hoarseness due to left recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy developed. One month later, chest X-ray films showed abnormal infiltration in the left upper lung field. The patient was sero-negative for HIV. To confirm the diagnosis, right supraclavicular lymph node biopsy was performed. Microscopic examination of the biopsy specimen revealed acid-fast bacilli and granuloma with central caseous necrosis surrounded by Langhans' giant cells and epithelioid cells. After 9 months of extended anti-tuberculous chemotherapy, the cervical and mediastinal masses receded and the abnormal chest X-ray shadows disappeared. Because the incidence of tuberculosis in Japan is gradually increasing among young people as well as the elderly, the differential diagnosis of this disease will become more necessary.     

Wegener's granulomatosis in a woman with asymptomatic primary biliary cirrhosis

A 60-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital in June 1985, complaining of fever, cough and right lower chest pain, with a five-year history of asymptomatic primary biliary cirrhosis. Chest X-ray on admission showed an infiltrative shadow in the right lower lung field. She was first treated with various antibiotics unsuccessfully. Hemoptysis continued. Dyspnea and anemia appeared. Chest X-ray 17 days after admission showed multiple infiltrative shadows in the both lung fields. She was treated with steroid pulse therapy successfully. During prednisolone treatment decreasing nodular shadows with cavities appeared on chest X-ray. An open lung biopsy was performed in March 1986. The histologic findings showed a necrotizing vasculitis with granuloma and perivascular fibrosis. She was treated with prednisolone and prednisolone-azathioprine therapy unsuccessfully, but successfully with prednisolone-cyclophosphamide therapy. This case was a rare case of Wegener's granulomatosis with transition from fulminant type to granulomatous type. No similar case of Wegener's granulomatosis with asymptomatic primary biliary cirrhosis has been reported in the literature.     

A case of non-Hodgkin's malignant lymphoma with a lymphoma nodule moving around within a lung bulla

A 53-year-old man was admitted to Nagoya City University Hospital with complaining of bloody sputum and an abnormal shadow on chest X-ray film. The chest X-ray film showed a giant bulla in the right upper and middle lung fields and a mass shadow inside the bulla. In addition he had the swelling of bilateral inguinal lymph nodes. He was suspected to having bleeding from the lung bulla, and received a right upper lobectomy. The resected specimen showed a lobular tumor in the parenchyma of lung and an oval lymphoma nodule moving around inside of lung bulla. Histologically, both the lung tumor and inguinal lymph-nodes were non-Hodgkin's malignant lymphoma, diffuse and plasmacytoid large cell type.     

Two cases of multiple primary cancer involving the lung with old pulmonary tuberculosis]

We reported 2 relatively rare cases of multiple primary cancer including lung cancer accompanied by old pulmonary tuberculosis. Patient 1 was a 62-year-old man admitted to our hospital for further evaluation of an infiltrative shadow on chest X-ray films, and a cervical tumor noted 10 years earlier and thought to be thyroid cancer. A Transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) specimen disclosed poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. A right upper lobectomy and thyroidectomy were performed. Histopathologic findings showed a neoplastic lesion adjacent to caseous necrosis with formation of granuloma consistent with tuberculosis. Also, the cervical tumor was considered to be a metastatic lymph node from thyroid papillary carcinoma. Patient 2 was a 73-year-old man with a 14-year history of treatment for transitional cell carcinoma of urinary bladder, who had been admitted to our hospital for further evaluation because of a nodular shadow observed on chest X-ray films. TBLB specimens disclosed adenocarcinoma. A right upper lobectomy was performed. Histopathologic findings revealed a neoplastic tumorlet in the same lobe. No detectable increases in serum TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta or IFN-gamma were observed in either patient. Phytohemagglutinin- and concanavalin-A-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation decreased in Patient 1. These findings suggested that the immunocompromised status of patients with cancer in addition to old pulmonary tuberculosis may contribute to the development of lung cancer.     

Four cases of the tuberculous adenitis

We report four cases of tuberuculosis with the lymph nodes swelling in the porta hepatis. Case 1 is 52 years-old man, who was admitted to our hospital because of anorexia. The chest X-ray film showed abnormal shadow and he was diagnosed as tuberculosis by sputum examination. At the time of hospitalization, patient's conjunctiva is icteric on physical examination. The serum T-Bil was 3.21 mg/dL and D-Bil was 2.54 mg/dL. The enhanced CT showed compression of the extrahepatic common bile duct which was caused by enlarged lymph nodes secondary to tuberculous adenitis. Case 2 is 25 years-old man, who was admitted to our hospital because of low grade fever and lower abdominal pain. The chest X-ray film showed abnormal shadow and he was diagnosed as tuberculosis by sputum examination. An enhanced CT showed the swelling of the lymph nodes in the porta hepatis. Case 3 is 21 years-old woman, who visited the outpatient clinic bacause of neck lymph node swelling. And she was diagnosed as tuberculous adenitis of the cervical lymph-nodes by the neck lymph node biopsy. The patient complained of upper abdominal pain during the clinical course. The enhanced CT showed the swelling of the lymph nodes in the porta hepatis. A Case 4 is 31 years-old man, who visited to outpatient clinic bacause of fever. The chest X-ray film showed mediastinal lymphadenopathy, and he was diagnosed as tuberculosis by the thoracoscopic biopsy. The enhanced abdominal CT showed lymph nodes swelling in the porta hepatis. All of lymph nodes swelling found in our four cases markedly reduced in size on abdominal enhanced CT or ultrasonography after the initiation of anti-tuberculous standard chemotherapy. Symptom of all cases got better as well. In these clinical circumstances, it was clinically important to rule out malignant lymphoma and lymphadenopathy caused by cancer. The enhanced abdominal CT were useful for diagnosis and follow-up as tuberculous adenitis.     

A case of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis associated with fibrotic changes and alveolitis

A 62-year-old male, who had worked for 20 years as a farmer and who had been exposed to respirable agricultural chemicals apart from silica, was admitted in April, 1987, because of progressed exertional dyspnea. The chest X-ray film on admission showed irregularly-distributed infiltrative shadows in both lung fields. The chest CT also revealed irregular increase of densities in lung fields. Though the TBLB specimen from right B8 indicated only fibrotic changes, the tissues obtained by open lung biopsy from right S3 and S8 revealed PAS-positive proteinaceous deposits in the alveoli as well as alveolitis or fibrotic change of alveolar septum. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) contained phospholipids composed mainly of lecithin. According to these findings, the case was diagnosed as pulmonary alveolar proteinosis associated with alveolitis and patchy fibrotic changes. It is not completely clear whether fibrotic changes are induced by pulmonary alveolar proteinosis itself or fibrosis and proteinosis result coincidentally from direct response to fibrogenic agents. Inhaled agricultural chemicals may play a role for the pathogenesis of this case, for which further studies are required.     

A case of bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis

A 54-year-old man with rheumatoid arthritis visited his general practitioner because of fever and cough. Chest X-ray showed an infiltrative shadow in the right lower field. Antibiotic treatment was not effective, and the specimens obtained by transbronchial lung biopsy was not diagnostic. The patient was transferred to our hospital for further examination and treatment. Previously he had been treated with prednisolone in the knee joint for rheumatoid arthritis. Open lung biopsy was performed. The specimen obtained showed bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP) histologically. The patient recuperated and the chest X-ray shadow decreased with no therapy except the previous treatment with prednisolone.     

A case of pulmonary Mycobacterium kansasii infection complicated with pleural effusion

A 60-year-old man was admitted to our hospital complaining of general malaise for a few months, discomfort of the right shoulder and fever in May 2003. Chest X-ray film showed an infiltrative shadow in the right lung field and chest CT scan revealed right pleural effusion. Pulmonary tuberculosis complicated with pleurisy was first suspected from the findings of high ADA level of the effusion and positive result of PPD skin test. But, microscopic examination of the specimens obtained by transbronchial lung biopsy disclosed granulomatous lesions and Mycobacterium kansasii was identified from all specimens; sputum, fluids of brushing and bronchial washing. The patient was diagnosed as pulmonary Mycobacterium kansasii infection and treated with anti-tuberculous drugs including RFP. His clinical course was good and no recurrence of pleural effusion was seen. This case was a rare case of pulmonary Mycobacterium kansasii infection complicated with pleural effusion.     

A case of plasma cell granuloma with good response to steroid therapy

A 46-year-old man was admitted with complaints of fever, cough and anterior chest pain. Chest X-ray examination disclosed an infiltrative shadow in the right upper lung field and chest CT scan strongly suggested invasion of mediastinum and anterior chest wall. Therefore, steroid therapy was selected because biopsy specimen showed proliferation of fibroblasts and mononuclear cells mainly containing plasma cells with no evidence of malignancy. After steroid therapy, chest X-ray examination showed that the infiltrative shadow was greatly reduced. However, since infiltrative shadow was increased again at 3 years after the initiation of steroid therapy, right upper lobectomy was performed. Histopathological analysis of resected tumor demonstrated proliferation of mature plasma cells and fibroblasts in conjunction with minor infiltration of neutrophils and lymphocytes. At 18 months after operation, new shadows appeared in right S8 and S10 which were shown to have almost the same histological findings as the resected tumor. Steroid therapy was restarted, and then the size of shadows decreased. It is conceivable that steroid therapy is an effective therapy for pulmonary plasma cell granuloma, especially multifocal and relapsing cases.     

A case of pneumonitis due to sho-saiko-to

We reported a case of pneumonitis due to Sho-saiko-to. A 71-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of pneumonia. She complained of dry cough, pyrexia and severe dyspnea. Fine crepitation was heard on physical examination of the chest and a chest X-ray film revealed diffuse reticulo-nodular shadow in both lung fields. We suspected summer-type hypersensitivity pneumonitis and followed her up, however her condition deteriorated. Under a suspicion of drug-induced pneumonitis, all drugs were stopped and she was given prednisolone. Consequently her complaints, laboratory data and chest X-ray findings markedly improved. Microscopic examination of a transbronchial lung biopsy specimens showed interstitial pneumonitis. The results of a lymphocyte stimulation test were positive for sho-saiko-to. She gave informed consent after receiving an explanation of the challenge test. She was tested with 2.5 g sho-saiko-to twice and developed high fever and dyspnea with hypoxia, while the chest X-ray film also revealed diffuse infiltrative shadows similar that on admission. Based on these findings, we diagnosed this case as pneumonitis due to sho-saiko-to. To our knowledge, there has been no previous case of pulmonary hypersensitivity due to sho-saiko-to reported in the world.     

A case of cervical-mediastinal lymph node tuberculosis progressed to pulmonary lesion through a bronchial fistula]

The patient was a 25-year-old man who had been admitted to a local hospital due to fever and trachelophyma. Tubercle bacillus was detected in pus culture obtained by biopsy of the trachelophyma, but not in sputum culture. Because combined therapy with 3 antituberculous drugs (RFP, INH and SM) failed to reduce the fever or drainage from the biopsy region, the patient was transferred to our hospital. Chest X-ray films taken on admission revealed dilatation of the superior mediastinal shadow; chest CT images revealed cervical and mediastinal lymphadenopathy and an anterior mediastinal abscess, but no pulmonary lesion. About 2 months after admission, cough developed and Gaffky type 2 was detected in the patients sputum. Bronchoscopy and bronchography revealed a bronchomediastinal fistula. Forty days after the onset of cough, reticulogranular shadows were observed in the right upper lobe on chest X-ray films, and a diffuse centrilobular lesion was observed in the right upper lobe on chest CT images. From these clinical observations, the patient was given a diagnosis of cervical-mediastinal lymph node tuberculosis, which had progressed to pulmonary lesion through a bronchial fistula due to lymphadenitis.     

A case of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma transformed from immunoglobulin A-producing marginal zone B-cell lymphoma

We present a rare case of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma transformed from immunoglobulin (Ig) A-secreting marginal zone B-cell lymphoma. A 62-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for examination of a disseminated pulmonary shadow. Gradual swelling of bilateral axilla and right inguinal lymph nodes were noted after admission. Histological examination of the lymph node biopsy specimen revealed the appearance of marginal zone B-cell lymphoma. The surface Ig of lymphoma cells was IgA-kappa, which coincided with the class of monoclonal Ig found in the patient's serum. The lymph node swelling and pulmonary shadow subsided, and the serum IgA level was normalized by 3 courses of systemic chemotherapy. However, after 4 courses of treatment, new tumor lesions at the right chest wall and left arm progressively became apparent. The biopsy specimen of the tumor showed a feature of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Despite intensive chemotherapy, the patient died of spreading tumor burden into the central nervous system.     

A case of primary choriocarcinoma of the mediastinum in a Japanese woman]

A 32-year-old Japanese woman was referred to our hospital complaining of non-productive cough and dyspnea when in a dorsal position. Physical examination revealed left cervical lymph node swelling. Laboratory data showed HCG 17,700mIU/ml, betaHCG 130ng/ml, CYFRA 104ng/ml, AFP<2.0ng/ml, and LDH 802IU/l. A chest radiograph showed a giant mass shadow in the left hilum and many round mass shadows in both lung fields. Chest CT showed a mass shadow in the anterior mediastinum and many round mass shadows in both lung fields. There was no abnormality on abdominal and pelvic CT. A CT-guided transcutaneous lung biopsy specimen obtained from a mass in the left lower lobe revealed necrotized portions and atypical cells which were positive for HCG. We diagnosed primary choriocarcinoma of the mediastinum. The patient received 4 courses of the standard BEP regimen, resulting in partial response. This is the first reported case of primary choriocarcinoma of the mediastinum in a Japanese woman.