Primary lung cancer causing pulmonary artery microembolization and pulmonary hypertension

The authors present a rare cause of pulmonary hypertension, which occurred in a 57-year-old woman. Postmortem examination discovered an adenocarcinoma with bronchioloalveolar growth pattern as a cause of severe dyspnoea, extreme pulmonary hypertension, and chronic cor pulmonale. The tumour involved all lobes of the lung. In the hilar lymph node metastasis was detectable. Histology showed tumour cell emboli in branches of the pulmonary arteries, intimal fibrosis, which was associated with fibrin precipitation and involvement of lymphatic vessels showing lymphangiosis carcinomatosa. The intrapulmonary dissemination of the adenocarcinoma could be caused by the isolated haematogenous dissemination via the thoracic duct. The authors discuss the possible pathomechanism of pulmonary hypertension and the way of tumour cell dissemination in the lung. They highlight the histological changes, which accompany the syndrome of pulmonary tumour thrombotic microangiopathy. In this case, which can be regarded rarely published in the literature, they emphasise the differential diagnostic questions.     

复治涂阳肺结核与结核病耐药

结核病是严重危害人类健康的呼吸道传染病,是全球关注的公共卫生问题和社会问题.     

Managing pulmonary embolism

Although morbidity and mortality remain high, we now have effective strategies to prevent development of the disease in many patients at risk. For those who do not benefit from prophylaxis, our understanding of optimal diagnostic strategy has improved, as has that of classic anticoagulation therapy with heparin and warfarin. Thrombolysis may also improve outcome.     

High-altitude pulmonary edema

Lay summary: High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) is a potentially fatal disease of altitude, in which the lungs can become filled with fluid. In this article we explore the mechanisms causing this condition and how it can be viewed as a condition of a mismatch between current environment and evolutionary experience.     

HIV-associated pulmonary tuberculosis

The problems of diagnosis, treatment and management of tuberculosis associated with HIV infection in Africa are placed in perspective by the former director of the Kenya Medical Research Institute. Tuberculosis (TB) has increased as much as 3-fold in many African countries due to heightened susceptibility of HIV patients. HIV infection may both re-activate latent TB, which virtually all Africans harbor, or increase the likelihood of exogenous infection or re-infection by TB. In most of Africa diagnosis by stained sputum smear is standard: in late AIDS, this method may yield false negatives due to non-pulmonary TB, or pulmonary TB with a negative smear. Chest x-rays are also atypical, since cavitation of the upper zones is not as common, but lobar consolidation and lower zone involvement, and various unusual findings are likely. There is no evidence that mycobacterium avium intracellular has occurred in Africa. Treatment in Africa often centers on long-term thiazina (thiacetazone and isoniazid combined). HIV+ patients are more prone to skin rashes or even lethal epidermal neurolysis as a complication of treatment. Treated patients should be monitored for other symptoms such as diarrhea, recurrent fevers, other chest infections, cerebral space occupying lesions, urinary infections. Many can be treated with broad spectrum antibiotics such as chloramphenicol. Nursing HIV-infected young adults is an expensive and burdensome prospect for overworked and underpaid staff, but curing TB in AIDS patients is possible and worthwhile because of the public health advantages.     

Cardiogenic pulmonary edema

Cardiogenic pulmonary edema is a medical emergency and must be treated quickly and aggressively with oxygen and intravenous medications. Hemodynamic improvement may precede clinical improvement by several hours.     

Endogenous pulmonary antibiotics

The human lung produces a variety of peptides and proteins which have intrinsic antimicrobial activity. In general these molecules have broad spectra of antimicrobial activity, kill micro-organisms rapidly, and evade resistance generated by pathogens. In recent years it has become increasingly apparent that the antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) simultaneously possess immunomodulatory functions, suggesting complex roles for these molecules in regulating the clearance of, and immune response to, invading pathogens. These collective properties have stimulated considerable interest in the potential clinical application of endogenous AMPs. This article outlines the biology of AMPs, their pattern of expression in the lung, and their functions, with reference to both antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activity. We then consider the biological importance of AMPs, before concentrating on the potential to use AMPs to therapeutic effect. The principles discussed in the article apply to innate immune defence throughout the body, but particular emphasis is placed on AMPs in the lung and the potential application to pulmonary infection.     

Reexpansion pulmonary edema

Reexpansion pulmonary edema (RPE) is a rare entity that develops after reexpansion in a chronically collapsed lung. There is a broad clinical spectrum of the disease ranging from asymptomatic appearance to lethal form that occurs in approximately 20% of the cases. The pathophysiological background is complex and not clarified in all details. RPE may be prevented by knowing and treating potential risk factors. This review summarizes the updated knowledge on the pathophysiological background, clinical picture and treatment modalities of RPE.