Chronic solitary pulmonary nodule due to unsuspected pulmonary infarction from silent pulmonary embolism

Abstract A case of pulmonary embolism showing a longstanding solitary pulmonary nodule is presented. An asymptomatic 57 year-old man with a solitary nodule in the right lower lobe was referred to our hospital. A pulmonary perfusion-ventilation scan following a sudden onset of dyspnoea established the diagnosis of recurrent pulmonary embolism. The nodule gradually disappeared after anticoagulant treatment, indicating that the nodule was pulmonary infarction from silent pulmonary embolism. Although the incidence of pulmonary infarction is low in Japan, this case suggests that pulmonary infarction from silent pulmonary embolism should be considered as one important cause of a solitary pulmonary nodule.     

The pulmonary circulation and its systemic arterial supply in pulmonary atresia

The pulmonary circulation and its systemic arterial supply in cases of pulmonary atresia were studied angiocardiographically. In 69% of the cases the pulmonary arteries were hypoplastic and supplied by a patent ductus arteriosus or a few large systemic arteries. A classification into four groups is suggested, and a developmental paradox represented by this classification is discussed.     

肺结核住院患者的营养状况与肺功能的相关性分析

目的探讨肺结核住院患者的营养状况对肺功能的影响,为加强营养治疗提供参考依据。方法随机选择2005年7—9月在我院住院的确诊肺结核患者95例,分别接受了身体质量指数（BMI）和白蛋白（ALB）等营养指标调查和肺功能评估。按BMI值分为A组（BMI≤18．5）和B组（BMI〉18．5）,按ALB值分为I组（ALB≤35）和Ⅱ组（ALB〉35）,分别比较两组肺功能指标的差异。并将BMI、ALB与各项肺功能指标做相关分析。结果按BMI和ALB判断的营养不良的发生率。BMI与FVC％、FEVI％呈显著正相关,（r=0．303,0．321,P〈0．01）,ALB与FVC％、MMF％、MVV％等呈显著正相关,（r=0．271,0．269,0．251,P值分别〈0．01、0．01、0．05）。结论肺结核住院患者的营养状况与肺功能关系密切,营养不良可影响肺的通气功能,提高营养水平将有助于改善患者呼吸功能指标。     

肺癌患者肺叶切除术后肺功能的变化

目的观察肺癌患者行单侧肺叶切除术的术前、术后肺功能及血气指标变化。方法测定63例行单侧肺叶切除术的肺癌患者术前、术后3个月的肺功能及血气指标。结果术后早期肺功能各项指标均有下降（P〈0．05）。术后3个月FEV1及DLCO较术前有所改善,与术前相比,P〈0．05。结论单侧肺叶切除术对肺癌患者肺功能无显著影响,其气道阻塞程度及弥散功能术后有所改善。     

A rare cause of pulmonary hypertension: Idiopathic fibrosing mediastinitis obstructing right pulmonary artery and pulmonary veins

Fibrosing mediastinitis is caused by a proliferation of fibrous tissue in the mediastinum with encasement of mediastinal viscera and compression of mediastinal bronchovascular structures. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) may occur as a severe complication of the disease. Herein, we report a patient diagnosed with fibrosing mediastinitis and pulmonary hypertension, whose imaging tests showed obstruction of right pulmonary artery and veins.     

The pulmonary venous wedge pressure in pulmonary arterial hypertension

The comparability of the main pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) and the pulmonary venous wedge pressure (PVWP) was assessed during cardiac catheterization in 89 patients with pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) and increased pulmonary blood flow. Preliminary evaluation revealed a wide disparity between the 2 determinations. Fifty-five pull-back pressure recordings from branch-to-main pulmonary artery were analyzed. Twenty-four percent (13/55) had systolic pressure gradients >20 mm Hg. between branch and main pulmonary artery. When PVWP and only ipsilateral branch PAP were compared (n=48), diastolic and mean (m), but not systolic PVWP, correlated closely with branch PAP (r=0.77, r=0.73 and r=0.59, respectively). In 46 of 48 patients the PVWP_m was not significantly greater than the ipsilateral PAP. Twenty-nine of 30 patients with PVWP_m <30 mm Hg. had an ipsilateral PAP_m <40 mm Hg. In 15 patients with PVWP_m between 30 and 39 mm Hg, there was a wide range (30–59 mm Hg) of PAP_m. Three patients with PVWP_m >40 mm Hg. had severe PAH. It is concluded that: 1) hemodynamically significant branch-to-main PAP gradients are present in some patients with PAH and may result in erroneously high pulmonary arteriolar vascular resistance when calculated from main PAP; 2) properly performed PVWP determination can define the lower limit of mean pressure in the ipsilateral branch pulmonary artery; 3) a PVWP_m <30 mm Hg. usually indicates an ipsilateral PAP_m <40 mm Hg; 4) a PVWP_m >30 mm Hg. is compatible with either moderate or severe PAH; 5) correlation of PVWP with PAP is not related to pulmonary blood flow.     

肺结核合并肺念珠菌病12例临床分析

目的 探讨减少肺结核合并肺念珠菌病的发生和误诊?方法 以肺结核病情好转或稳定中, 出现新的症状, X 线片显示新病灶或原病灶扩大, 痰真菌培养连续三次生长同种真菌且抗真菌治疗后病情改善, 痰真菌培养无原真菌生长为标准?12 例病人被确诊合并肺念珠菌病并作回顾性分析?结果 本组病人肺结核病灶范围较广泛, 空洞多, 痰菌阳性率高, 多有高热?血白细胞和中性粒细胞数较高, 及广谱抗生素和糖皮质激素使用史, 多误诊?结论 本病易误诊, 临床应予重视, 规则使用广谱抗生素和激素可减少它的发生?     

Primary pulmonary hypertension in adults

Primary pulmonary hypertension is an enigmatic disease found predominantly in young women, but it also affects a significant number of middle-aged and elderly males and females. Its onset, characterized by progressively worsening dyspnea, fatigue, and chest pain, is insidious. Three distinct histopathologic subtypes have been identified, and the natural history of the disease process has been well-defined. Pharmacologic treatment options have, in general, been disappointing, and it appears that heart-lung transplantation will be applied only to a small minority of young patients with primary pulmonary hypertension in the near future. We review the histopathology, evaluation, treatment, and prognosis of primary pulmonary hypertension.     

Evaluation of pulmonary blood supply by multiplanar cine magnetic resonance imaging in patients with pulmonary atresia and severe pulmonary stenosis

The purpose of this study was to assess the capability of multiplanar cine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for evaluating pre- and post-operative pulmonary circulation in patients with pulmonary atresia and severe pulmonary stenosis. Seventy-three multiplanar cine MRIs were performed in 30 patients, aged 1 month to 7 years (mean age, 27 months). The morphology and size of the central pulmonary arteries (PA), source of the major aortopulmonary collateral arteries (MAPCA), patency of Blalock–Taussig (BT) shunt vessels, and the post-operative pulmonary circulation were assessed. The accuracy of cine MRI was compared with that of angiography in all patients. The PA was visualized to the first hilar branch in 21 patients, but not in 8 patients in whom the central PA was absent. On follow-up MRI, PA growth was measured, and the results showed excellent correlation with the results obtained by angiography. In 17 patients who had undergone 23 BT shunt operations, cine MRI correctly demonstrated all patient shunts and 5 of 6 stenotic lesions. Multiplanar cine MRI provided excellent detail of the peripheral PA in all patients, 7 of 8 peripheral pulmonary stenoses, 3 of 4 nonconfluent pulmonary arteries, and 2 of 3 PA obstructions. Although the sources of MAPCA were identified in 7 of 9 patients, the distal connection of the MAPCA was not detected in all patients. Seven patients were reexamined after pulmonary plasty; they exhibited normal pulmonary flow patterns. Multiplanar cine MRI provides high-resolution imaging of PA with dynamic visualization of flow and is an effective noninvasive technique for evaluating pre- and post-operative patients with pulmonary atresia and severe pulmonary stenosis.     

Idiopathic right pulmonary artery aneurysm with pulmonary valve insufficiency

A case of idiopathic right pulmonary artery aneurysm with pulmonary valve insufficiency simulating a mediastinal teratoma occurred in an asymptomatic 13-year-old boy. The key to correct diagnosis was pulmonary angiography. The patient was successfully treated with surgery. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Intravascular ultrasound imaging of the pulmonary arteries in primary pulmonary hypertension

OBJECTIVE: Intravascular ultrasound has the unique ability to provide cross-sectional images of the arterial wall. This study examined intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) images of the proximal pulmonary arteries in primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH). METHODOLOGY: Study 1: Specimens from four patients who had died of PPH (in vitro PPH group) were compared with those of three patients who had died of subarachnoid haemorrhage but had no evidence of cardiopulmonary disease (in vitro control group). Three-centimetre segments of the following levels were examined by IVUS: pulmonary trunk, eight secondary branch arteries of the upper, middle, and lower lobes of both lungs, and the thoracic descending aorta. Study 2: Four patients with PPH (in vivo PPH group) and five patients without pulmonary hypertension and no evidence of cardiopulmonary disease (in vivo control group) were examined. The IVUS images of the apical segmental artery of the right upper lobe and the descending branch of the right pulmonary artery were studied. RESULTS: Echographic examination of formalin-fixed preparations of secondary branch sections of the pulmonary artery failed to show a clear three-layer structure in the in vitro control group (24 preparations), but a distinct three-layer structure and increased vessel wall thickness were observed in the in vitro PPH group (32 preparations). Similar findings were obtained in the in vivo study. The mean echo density of the proximal pulmonary arterial wall correlated well with the mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPA) in the in vitro PPH, and also correlated with the mPA in the in vivo study (r = 0.960, P < 0.0001). The echo intensity of secondary branch sections of the pulmonary artery was higher in the in vitro PPH group than in the in vitro control group (180.5 +/- 27.0 vs 132.5 +/- 26.7 counts, P < 0.001); similar results were obtained in the in vivo study (144.7 +/- 23.4 vs 85.0 +/- 14.3 counts, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the histological changes detected in the pulmonary artery walls in the PPH group were responsible for the increased echo intensity.     

Prospective cardiopulmonary screening program to detect chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension in patients after acute pulmonary embolism

Background

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension after pulmonary embolism is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Understanding the incidence of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension after pulmonary embolism is important for evaluating the need for screening but is also a subject of debate because of different inclusion criteria among previous studies. We determined the incidence of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension after acute pulmonary embolism and the utility of a screening program for this disease.

Design and Methods

We conducted a cohort screening study in an unselected series of consecutive patients (n=866) diagnosed with acute pulmonary embolism between January 2001 and July 2007. All patients who had not been previously diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension (PH) and had survived until study inclusion were invited for echocardiography. Patients with echocardiographic suspicion of PH underwent complete work-up for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, including ventilation-perfusion scintigraphy and right heart catheterization.

Results

After an average follow-up of 34 months of all 866 patients, PH was diagnosed in 19 patients by routine clinical care and in 10 by our screening program; 4 patients had chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, all diagnosed by routine clinical care. The cumulative incidence of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension after all cause pulmonary embolism was 0.57% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.02–1.2%) and after unprovoked pulmonary embolism 1.5% (95% CI 0.08–3.1%).

Conclusions

Because of the low incidence of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension after pulmonary embolism and the very low yield of the echocardiography based screening program, wide scale implementation of prolonged follow-up including echocardiography of all patients with pulmonary embolism to detect chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension does not seem to be warranted.     

Retrograde pulmonary arteriography

We performed retrograde pulmonary arteriography by means of a pulmonary venous wedge injection in 10 patients with no demonstrable intrapericardial pulmonary arteries by "conventional" angiographic techniques. In all cases but one, the procedure demonstrated the feasibility of a further operation. No complications were observed. Retrograde pulmonary arteriography is an important additional method for determining the existence of surgically accessible pulmonary arteries when other techniques have failed.     

CT肺栓塞指数在肺栓塞患者中的临床应用研究

目的:探讨肺栓塞指数(CTI)在肺栓塞(PE)患者中的临床应用价值。方法:入选通过双源CT肺动脉造影确诊的187例PE患者,132例为急性PE,55例为慢性PE;急性PE中,低危组46例,中危组86例,高危组0例。通过CT影像计算CTI,结合PE危险分层绘制两者的受试者工作曲线(ROC曲线)并得到最佳诊断阈值,按对应的CTI将急、慢性PE患者分别划分为2组,对比分析2组的临床病例资料。结果:1急性PE中,低危组平均CTI为(37.5±27.4)%,中危组平均CTI为(50.8±23.9)%,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);慢性PE平均CTI为(23.1±21.9)%。2CTI与危险分层的ROC曲线下面积为0.653(P=0.004),最佳诊断阈值对应的CTI为60%。3急、慢性PE患者CTI在性别、年龄分布上的差异均无统计学意义。4急性PE中,与CTI60%组相比,CTI≥60%组出现呼吸困难及晕厥症状比例更多,心率更快,PaO_2、SaO_2、PaCO_2降低,P(A-a)O_2增高,WBC、NEUT、Hs CRP增高,cTnI、BNP、D-二聚体增高,RA、RV、RV/LV增高(均P0.05)。2组在收缩压、舒张压方面差异无统计学意义。5慢性PE中,与CTI60%组相比,CTI≥60%组出现呼吸困难症状比例更多,PaO_2、SaO_2、PaCO_2降低,P(A-a)O_2增高,HsCRP、D-二聚体增高,RA、RV、RV/LV增高。急性、慢性PE中,CTI≥60%组的肺栓塞严重指数(PESI)评分均高于CTI60%组(P0.05)。结论:CTI与PE危险分层具有显著的相关性,两者ROC曲线的最佳诊断阈值所对应的CTI为60%。以60%为界,CTI可良好区分急、慢性PE患者的病情严重程度及预后,说明CTI在急、慢性PE患者中均具有一定的临床应用价值。     

肺诺卡菌病误诊肺结核1例并文献复习

[摘要]?诺卡菌属于较为罕见的人类病原体，主要通过创伤侵入或吸入方式感染。其感染多见于免疫缺陷，特别是细胞免疫缺陷人群，以肺诺卡菌病最为常见。诺卡菌侵袭性及播散性强，易通过血行播散至其他部位，影像学上可符合血型散播疾病特点，且染色及形态特征与分枝杆菌类似，常误诊为结核分枝杆菌感染。本文对1例以咳嗽、咳痰为主要表现，经抗痨治疗效果欠佳，后明确为北京诺卡菌感染并经治好转的病例进行报道，旨在提高临床医生对本病的认识，减少误诊和漏诊。     

Absent pulmonary valve syndrome with associated anomalies of the pulmonary blood supply

We report four cases of so-called absent pulmonary valve syndrome associated with absence or anomalous origin of the left pulmonary artery. The fate of the patients with this condition appears to be affected mainly by the occurrence of pulmonary complications (three of our patients died of pulmonary causes, two of them after surgery). The proper timing of corrective surgery is still uncertain. Preoperative investigations should strive to obtain a clear-cut identification of the pulmonary arteries, particularly the left one or, in its absence, of the anomalous vascular supply to the lung. Right ventriculography, as employed by us, is insufficient. Pulmonary angiography, aortography and pulmonary vein "wedge" angiography may be needed.     

纤支镜在老年急性重症肺部感染并肺不张的治疗体会

目的探讨纤维支气管镜（纤支镜）在老年急性重症肺部感染并肺不张的应用价值。方法对34例经内科常规治疗效果不佳的老年急性重症肺部感染并肺不张患者,行纤支镜吸痰及支气管肺泡冲洗术（BL）。结果所有病例经治疗后均取得良好效果,肺复张率为100%,无严重并发症及意外发生。尤其对术后肺部感染并肺不张,经床边纤支镜吸痰及BL治疗,疗效显著。结论纤支镜对老年急性重症肺部感染并肺不张治疗效果好,安全可行,值得进一步推广应用。     

COPD合并肺间质纤维化4例报告并文献复习

目的探讨慢性阻塞性肺疾病合并肺间质纤维化(PF-COPD)的临床特点。方法报告我院PF-COPD4例,回顾性分析文献报道的PF-COPD47例,并与我院同期收治的特发性肺间质纤维化(IPF)9例及随机抽取慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)40例。对比分析其临床症状、胸部体征、影像学检查、肺功能及血气分析结果。结果PF-COPD的临床表现介于两种疾病之间,肺功能检查呈混合性通气功能障碍及弥散功能下降,血气分析表现以低氧血症为主,胸部X线及CT兼具两者特点。结论PF-COPD的确存在,具有其独特的临床特点。     

Bilateral pulmonary nodules as a manifestation of primary pulmonary T-cell lymphoma

Primary pulmonary lymphoma (PPL) is an uncommon pathology and is usually of the B-cell type, originating in lymphoid tissue associated with the bronchial mucosa (MALT/BALT lymphoma). Very few cases of T-cell PPL, the majority diagnosed by open lung biopsy, have been described in medical literature. We report a case of an immunocompetent patient with fever and bilateral pulmonary nodules, diagnosed with T-cell PPL by transbronchial biopsy. The patient’s condition deteriorated and she responded poorly to chemotherapy. PPL should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients with fever and bilateral pulmonary nodules.